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UNIT Verbs

Part A          Preview

Transitive and   Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the greatest
Intransitive     generals of all time. He helped France conquer
Verbs            much of Europe. However, many other
                 countries hated him because of his power.
                 Eventually, they were able to defeat
                 Napoleon. Afterward, Napoleon was
                 sent to the island of Saint Helena,
                 where he died without any power.

                Grammar Explanation

Transitive verbs require a direct object for their meaning to be complete.

Subject         Transitive Verb        Direct Object                         Meaning
 Jenny              erased.           the whiteboard.                       incomplete
 Jenny               erased                                                  complete
 Gary                 told.               a secret.                         incomplete
 Gary                  told                                                  complete

Intransitive verbs do NOT require a direct object for their meaning to be complete.

Subject         Intransitive Verb     Direct Object  Adverbial              Meaning
Wendy                  slept.                        to school.             complete
 Peter                walked                                                complete

Some verbs can be transitive or intransitive, depending on the context.

Subject                  Verb         Direct Object    Adverbial            Meaning
 Doug           moved (Transitive)       the sofa.                          complete
 Doug           moved (Intransitive)                 to Singapore.          complete
 Kelly          left (Transitive)        her bag       at home.             complete
 Kelly          left (Intransitive)                     at 3:00.            complete

6 Unit 1 Verbs
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