Transitive, Intransitive, Active & Passive Verbs
English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.2.7
Lexis - Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
When verbs have a direct object, we can describe them as being transitive. When verbs do not have a direct object, we can describe them as being intransitive.
Transitive verbs - examples
- Jake bought a new phone.
- ‘Bought’ is a transitive verb.
- Sally ate all the cupcakes.
- 'Ate' is a transitive verb.
- Stephen baked banana bread.
- 'Baked' is a transitive verb.
Intransitive verbs - examples
- The teacher smirked.
- ‘Smirked’ is not followed by an object. So 'smirked' is intransitive.
- Alex laughed manically.
- 'Laughed' is not followed by an object. So 'laughed' is intransitive.
- Bertie wept.
- 'Wept' is not followed by an object. So 'wept' is intransitive.
Lexis - Active & Passive Verbs
The voice of the verb depends on whether the subject is being acted upon or performing an action.
Active voice
- When a subject is performing an action, the verb uses the active voice.
Active voice - examples
- Ryan played the character well.
- Ryan is performing the action, and so the verb is in the active voice.
- Christian loved his wife.
- Christian is performing the action, and so the verb is in the active voice.
- I want to sleep.
- I am performing the action, and so the verb is in the active voice.
Passive voice
- When the subject is being acted on (i.e. it is passive to the action), the verb uses the passive voice.
Passive voice - examples
- The character was played well by Ryan.
- The character is now the subject and is being impacted on, and so the verb is in the passive voice.
- Christian's wife was loved by Christian.
- Christian's wife is now the subject and is being impacted on, and so the verb is in the passive voice.
- I was overcome by sleep.
- I am the subject and am being impacted on, and so the verb is in the passive voice.
Test yourself on Transitive, Intransitive, Active & Passive Verbs
What kind of verb is this?
Dan loves Serena so dearly.What kind of verb is this?
Blaire is snoozing.Which sentences use transitive verbs?
Which sentences use intransitive verbs?
What kind of verb is this?
Lenny forgot his slippers.