The classifications of verbs encompass how verbs affirm, declare, ask questions, express commands, or show conditions, and how they are categorized into regular, irregular, transitive, and intransitive types.
What Is a Verb and How Does It Function?
A verb is a word which affirms or declares. That of which it affirms something is called its subject; as, Rain falls, Sickness will come.
Here rain and sickness are subjects of the affirmations made.
Sometimes the verb asks a question; as, Are you going? Sometimes it takes the form of command; as, Go, Samuel. Sometimes it takes the form of a wish; as, May you excel. Sometimes that of a condition; as, Should he arrive, I will accompany him.
How Are Verbs Classified?
Verbs may be variously classified according to their structure, object requirements, and voice forms.
1. Regular and Irregular Verbs
The former make their past tense and participle with the ending of ed; the latter, do not; as, "I ascended;" "I saw."
2. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
The former are not complete in their meaning without the addition of a noun, as the object upon which the action expressed by the verb rests or falls; as, "He has performed his task." Here the sense of the verb performed would be imperfect without task as an object.
But "he walked," is intransitive, as the action is limited to the subject he, and does not terminate on an object.
Some intransitive verbs express simply the idea of existence or being; as, I am, he is, we shall be. Thomas is active. Any verb which makes sense with a pronoun after it in the objective form, may be known as being a transitive verb; as, He rewards him.
3. Active and Passive Forms of Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are either in the Active or Passive form.
"He has performed his task," is active; "His task has been per formed," is passive; the object of the verb in the active form of the sentence, being made the subject of the verb in the passive form. In the active form, the subject is represented as acting; in the passive, as acted upon.
Hence, intransitive verbs cannot regularly be used in the passive form.
4. Verbs Used in Both Transitive and Intransitive Senses
Some verbs are used both in a transitive and in an intransitive sense; as, "We returned from the city" (intransitive); "We returned the favor" (transitive).
5. Intransitive Verbs with Cognate Objects
Intransitive verbs admit after them, as an object, a noun possessing a meaning like that of the verb; as, "He ran a race;" and such an objective case may be converted into a subjective case with the passive form of the verb; as, "A race was run by him."
These verbs will be referred to again in a future lesson.
6. The Infinitive Mood as Subject or Object
The infinitive mood is sometimes the subject or the object of a verb; as, "To write well is a fine accomplishment." "He has learned to write well."
7. Intransitive Verbs Construed Passively
Some intransitive verbs are construed passively; as, "He was laughed at," "The business is to be looked after;" "The decision was appealed from;" "He is not to be scoffed at," "These are lessons to be practised on," "Duty was lost sight of," "The money was made use of by the servant."
Key Takeaways
- A verb is a word that affirms, declares, asks questions, commands, wishes, or shows conditions.
- Verbs are divided into regular and irregular based on their past tense and participle endings.
- Transitive verbs require an object, while intransitive verbs do not terminate on an object.
- Transitive verbs can appear in either active or passive forms.
- Certain intransitive verbs can take objects similar in meaning or be construed passively.
Quick Practice
1. Is the verb in the sentence "He has performed his task" transitive or intransitive? Write your answer in the comments below.
2. Give an example of an intransitive verb expressing existence or being. Share your answer in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a transitive and an intransitive verb?
A transitive verb requires an object to complete its meaning, whereas an intransitive verb does not take an object because the action is limited to the subject.
How do regular verbs differ from irregular verbs?
Regular verbs form their past tense and participle by adding "ed", while irregular verbs do not follow this rule.
Can intransitive verbs ever be used in the passive form?
Intransitive verbs cannot regularly be used in the passive form, though some intransitive verbs are construed passively in specific constructions.