The transitivity of a verb in Russian is determined by its ability to denote an action directed directly at an object. This is expressed grammatically by the fact that the verb controls the noun in the accusative case without a preposition. There are many examples of such constructions - “catch fish”, “write a letter”, “clean the carpet”.
How to determine the transitivity of a verb? There is nothing complicated in such an operation; it is enough to mentally ask him the question: “Who?”, “What?” If the verb is used in a negative context ( don't buy milk), the case changes to genitive - this should be remembered.
The meaning of transitive and intransitive verbs
Linguists have established that the transitivity and intransitivity of a verb are differentiated by the meaning of words. Thus, transitive verbs refer to various actions on objects. They can be created, destroyed or modified ( build a building, chop wood, destroy a house). The object can also remain unchanged ( congratulate mom). The same list includes combinations denoting the sensory perception of an object with the verbs “look”, “listen”, etc.
In turn, intransitive verbs are characterized by the following meanings:
- physical or mental state (be afraid, doze);
- appearance of a sign, its intensification ( blush);
- movement or location in space ( go, sit);
- activities, skills ( manage).
Morphological signs of intransitivity
The main difference between transitive and intransitive verbs lies in the ability to form passive participles. Compare the number of impersonal forms of the words “draw” and “walk”:
Paint
Walk
Sometimes the transitivity of a verb is determined based on the infinitive. There are derivational types of verbs that cannot be transitive:
Suffix at base | What part of speech is it derived from? | Examples |
|
imperfect | adjective | Get stronger, go blind, get wet |
|
the same | noun | To be angry (however, to feel, to admonish - exceptions) |
|
the same | nominal parts of speech | Beastly, turn white |
|
the same | the same | To be lazy, to carpenter |
Reflexive verbs
Of all the formal features, the transitivity and intransitivity of the verb are best distinguished by the postfixes -sya-/-s-. Once upon a time they were forms of the pronoun “oneself” until they lost their independence. This origin of the postfix determined the specific name of verbs - reflexive (the action is directed at the agent himself). Compare: wash your face And wash your face.
All reflexive verbs- intransitive. And this is absolutely understandable: why use an additional noun next to them if the transitivity of the verb is contained in the structure of the word itself?
Particularly difficult cases
Sometimes the question of how to determine the transitivity of a verb can be confusing. The main difficulty is that certain words with the meaning of action can be used differently in different contexts. Consider the sentences: " Child reading a book" And " The child is already reading".In the first case, an action takes place aimed at a specific object - a book. The main purpose of the second sentence is to convey information that the child is able to perceive what is written, that is, the verb “read” acts as intransitive. Another, more understandable example is with the word “shut up.” Compare: " Everyone finally fell silent" And " Silence a certain fact"(that is, deliberately not mentioning something).
Before determining the transitivity of a verb, it is necessary to check whether the noun next to it in the accusative case has an adverbial meaning. In the sentence “We studied all night,” the nominal component is used as a temporary characteristic, and not as an object on which the action is performed.
Some transitive verbs control nouns in the genitive case outside of negation ( buy notebooks, pick berries). In other cases, parallel forms are possible - wait for a trolleybus / trolleybus, which are differentiated in accordance with the category of certainty/uncertainty. So, after the phrase “I’m waiting for a trolleybus” I would like to add “at number 5”. But the form of the genitive case implicitly indicates that the speaker himself is not entirely sure which one vehicle he needs. He's just waiting and that's it.
A similar situation occurs with constructions like “drink tea/tea.” The existence of two parallel forms should not be confusing. The genitive case indicates that they are going to drink cup/glass tea. However, in both the first and second cases, the verb is transitive.
For the curious
You can often hear phrases like “walk/swim me” from young children. Such an error indicates a good sense of language that every child is endowed with. A few centuries ago we had many more verbs governing nouns without prepositions in the accusative case. Now their number has decreased. Perhaps someday the transitivity of the verb in the Russian language will cease to exist altogether. However, it is difficult to judge how true this information is, so it still doesn’t hurt to repeat the above material once again.
The indicator that we want to present in the article is one of the most difficult to understand verbal differences in the Russian language. Therefore, we will try to analyze it in many ways. What is a transitive and intransitive verb? main topic our material. Let's start by defining the basic concept.
What is transitivity?
In this context, transitivity is one of the grammatical features of verbs, which reflects the ability of the latter to attach direct objects. In other words, it is she who indicates the ability to control nouns without a preposition. Those that denote an active object - a person, an animal, inanimate object and so on.
From here the transitive and intransitive forms of the verb are distinguished. Let's take a closer look at each group.
Transitive verbs
We begin to determine what a transitive and intransitive verb is. Let's look at the first category.
A transitive verb denotes an action or attitude that is aimed at a specific object, passes to it. Main sign- such verbs control an unprepositional noun, a pronoun, in the accusative case. But this is not an absolute rule.
If the verb form is negative, then the noun or pronoun will be in the genitive case. This state of affairs is also typical for the case when the verb does not control the entire object, but only part of it.
Transitive verbs are usually formed from adjectives by adding the suffix -i- and a prefix: green, whiten and so on.
To make it clearer what an intransitive and transitive verb is, let's look at examples of the latter:
- Invite relatives.
- Experience joy.
- Read a newspaper.
- Get paid.
- Drink some juice.
Features of transitive verbs
Speaking about transitive and intransitive verbs, the rules for their definition, we note that it is from the former that passive participles can be formed.
Let's look at the lexical features. In this regard, transitive verbs have the following meanings:
- Creation, change, destruction of something, material and intangible, movement ( write a book, repaint a wall, break a contract).
- Sensory perception ( hear footsteps, see the world, feel the cold).
- Impact on something that does not lead to a change in this object ( thank your mother, scold your student, pet your puppy).
- Expressing your emotional attitude, feeling or perception ( hate betrayal, love the Motherland, prefer fruits).
Intransitive verbs
We continue to find out what a transitive and intransitive verb is. Logically, we will include in the second group what is not included in the first.
An intransitive verb denotes any action that does not transfer to the object and does not need the latter at all. Hence, it does not combine with accusative case nouns without a preposition.
Here are some examples of intransitive verbs:
- Sit on the chair.
- Go to the shop.
- Live with you.
- Enjoy the new day.
Features of intransitive verbs
In lexical terms, intransitive verbs can have the following meaning:
- Narrative of the psyche, physical condition, position in space ( lie down on the couch, feel homesick, get a sore throat).
- Existence, movement ( walk the road, be yourself, show up at the office).
- Description of any activity, property of a person, object ( teach at school, lounge around in the garden).
- The appearance, change of any qualities, the formation of a certain characteristic ( turn red to the ears, lose weight).
Intransitive verbs are also distinguished by the following:
- Many have the suffixes -sya, -sya ( meet, get carried away, catch fire).
- They are also characterized by the suffixes -icha-, -nicha-, -e- ( to become weak, to be greedy, to be capricious).
- A considerable part of them are returnable (
Verbs are independent parts of speech that denote the action of a subject. They, like any part of speech, have constant features, that is, those that are characteristic of them in any form, no matter how the word is changed. One of these properties is transitivity.
What is the transitivity of a verb, how to determine the transitivity and intransitivity of a verb, what methods to use for this?
What is a transitive verb?
Transitive verbs denote an action that is aimed at an object, “transitions” to it. Such verbs have or may have words in the accusative case without a preposition.
Words with transitive verbs can also appear in the genitive case in two cases:
- When denoting a part of a whole, for example: drink milk (easy to replace with the accusative case - drink milk).
- If the verb has a negation: fail to complete the task (it’s also easy to replace it with the accusative case: fail to complete the task).
Difficulties may arise when determining the transitivity of a verb. How to determine the transitivity of a verb? We propose an algorithm for how this can be done.
Algorithm for determining verb transitivity
- We find the verb. Let's see if there are words in the sentence to which we can ask questions in the accusative case (who? what?), such words are called direct objects. If questions are asked and the words do not have a preposition, then these are transitive verbs. We remember that these additions are expressed by nouns or pronouns. Examples: “I read (what?) a book.”; "I saw (who?) him."
- If the verb does not have a direct object, then we still ask questions in the accusative case and try to find a word that would answer these questions. It was said above that transitivity is constant sign. This means that it will be characteristic transitive verb and without addition. For example: He said (what?) - we can easily find the word (truth); "I noticed (who?) them." BUT: “Hurry (who? what?)” - the word is not chosen, the verb is intransitive. “Laugh (who? what?)” is also intransitive.
- If the object of the verb is in the genitive case, does not have a preposition and denotes part of the whole, or if the verb has a negation, then the verb will also be transitive. For example: “Drink (what?) water.”; "Don't write (what?) letters."
Remember: all reflexive verbs, that is, having the suffixes “-sya”, “-sya”, are intransitive, since the action is not directed at something or someone, but “returns” to the subject of the action: it seems, it seems, it is decided
On this lesson We will talk about transitive verbs. Of course, the verbs themselves do not go anywhere. But the actions that they denote can go directly to the object to which this action is directed. You will learn how to distinguish transitive verbs from intransitive ones in this lesson.
Topic: Verb
Lesson: Transitive and intransitive verbs
1. The concept of transitive verbs
Actions that verbs denote can go directly to the object to which this action is directed. Such verbs are called transitional.
You can always ask a question from transitive verbs whom? or What?(questions in the accusative case without a preposition):
Write ( What?) letter
See ( whom?) boy
With intransitive verbs, the action does not pass directly to the subject.
You can ask any questions from intransitive verbs, except questions in the accusative case without a preposition:
Study ( how?) sports
Understand ( what?) to the muses ke
Refuse ( from what?) from help
It is important to correctly find the word to which the action denoted by the verb is directed. A transitive verb always carries with it a noun or a pronoun without a preposition, which is not just in the accusative case, but is the object of the action that the verb names:
See boy
See their
There may be cases when, despite the fact that the nouns are in the accusative case, the verbs are intransitive. Because these nouns are not the object of action, which are called verbs.
stand still hour
Wait a week
Transitivity/intransitivity verb is closely related to its lexical meaning. In one meaning a verb can be transitive, and in another it can be intransitive:
Learn At school.
The verb “teach” in the meaning of “teach” is intransitive.
Learn children.
The verb “teach” in the meaning “to teach” is transitive.
Editor rules manuscript.
The verb “rules” in the meaning of “corrects” is transitive.
Peace rules the man himself.
The verb “rules” in the meaning of “manages” is intransitive.
3. Sentences with transitive verbs
Sentences with transitive verbs can be either affirmative or negative. True, when negated, the accusative case of a noun can be replaced by the genitive.
He's a fly will kill .
IN in this case with a transitive verb will kill noun fly is in the accusative case.
Compare the same sentence, albeit with a negative meaning.
He flies won't kill .
The accusative case of the noun is replaced by the genitive.
However, remember: despite this, the verb does not lose its transitivity.
Often in the store we can hear the following phrases:
Please weigh me some sugar.
Cut off that cheese.
Form R.p. with transitive verbs it is used so that we understand that only part of the subject is being said, and not about the subject as a whole.
In a similar situation, if we are talking about an object that is not divided into parts, V.p. is used:
Please weigh the pear for me.
Cut off that piece.
And if we are talking about an object that is divided into parts, we can use the form R.p.
Bibliography
- Russian language. 6th grade: Baranov M.T. and others - M.: Education, 2008.
- Russian language. Theory. 5-9 grades: V.V. Babaytseva, L.D. Chesnokova - M.: Bustard, 2008.
- Russian language. 6th grade: ed. MM. Razumovskaya, P.A. Lekanta - M.: Bustard, 2010.
- Definition of verb transitivity ().
Homework
1. Exercise 1.
Indicate transitive verbs, underline the subject and predicate.
Autumn has come. The trees in the forest turned yellow. Leaves cover the bare ground with a variegated carpet. Many birds flew away. The rest are busy, preparing for winter. Animals are also looking for warm housing, stocking up on food for the long winter: a hedgehog made a hole in dry leaves, a squirrel brought in nuts and cones, a bear is preparing its den.
2. Exercise 2.
From this text, write down phrases with transitive and intransitive verbs in two columns, determine the case of the noun.
1. Young leaves of birch trees have always delighted me with their delicate greenery. The guys planted these birch trees when they were at school.
2. There is no longer a feeling of piercing dampness in the air.
3. The noise of the street burst through the open window.
4. I returned the book as soon as I read it.
5. He stood at the fence and held a dog on a leash.
3. Exercise 3.
Indicate the transitivity and intransitivity of verbs in the text.
1. Monkeys are very afraid of snakes. Even cobras frighten them, although cobras feed on lizards and mice and do not hunt monkeys. A little monkey saw a boa constrictor. She climbs the tree with lightning speed, grabs the branches and, petrified with horror, cannot take her eyes off the predator.
2. Find Sakhalin Island on the map, draw a straight line to the south, and when leaving the bay you will see a tiny dot, and above it the inscription “Seal Island”. This is a famous island. A whole herd of fur seals, valuable fur-bearing animals, swims there every spring..
All verbs in the Russian language in this category are divided into two large groups – transitive and intransitive .
TO transitional include verbs that can control the accusative case without a preposition. Such verbs denote an action that is directly aimed at an object.
In a sentence, transitive verbs have or may have direct object .
For example:
1. I am writing a letter.
2. Yesterday I read all day
In the second example there is no direct object, but it is potentially possible ( interesting book).
It should be remembered that transitive verbs cannot be reflexive.
Exercise:
Compare:
1. On the way to the university I met my friend.
2. My friend wasn’t at home
In addition to the accusative case, transitive verbs in two cases can also control the genitive case forms.
First case: When Genitive has the meaning of being part of the whole.
For example:
I drank milk.(Wed: drank milk)
Second case: when a transitive verb has a negative particle Not.
For example:
I haven't received a letter from my brother for a long time
Such additions are also straight .
TO intransitive These include verbs that cannot control the accusative case form without a preposition. Such verbs denote an action that is not directly directed at an object. With intransitive verbs there is no and cannot be a direct object (after them you cannot pose a question whom? or What?)
For example:
sit, sleep, walk, dream, talk
Intransitive verbs can control everything indirect cases, except accusative without preposition. They can also control the accusative case, but only with a preposition.
For example:
step on a stone, trip over a stone
It should be remembered that intransitive verbs in a sentence have indirect object .
For example:
I'm talking on the phone with a friend
It should also be remembered that if a reflexive postfix is added to a transitive verb -xia-, then it becomes intransitive.
Exercise:
Compare:
teach - learn, bathe - swim, build - build, dress - dress
Pledge is a constant lexical grammatical category verb, which expresses the relationship of the action to the subject (i.e., the producer of the action). There are two collaterals - active and passive .
Verbs active voice denote an action not directed at the subject (i.e., the producer of the action).
For example:
1. Workers are building a house.
2. Snow covered the ground
In such constructions, the subject of the action is expressed by the subject (in the I.p.), and the object by the direct object (in the V.p. without a preposition).
Verbs passive voice denote an action directed at the subject.
For example:
1. The house is being built by workers.
2. The ground was covered with snow
In such constructions the subject of action is expressed indirect object(in T.p. without a preposition), and the object became the subject (in I.p.).
It should be remembered that verbs in the passive voice are always reflexive, i.e. have postfix -sya-, (-s-), and active verbs can be either non-reflexive or reflexive.
For example:
The child is sleeping.
The children are frolicking.
It's getting dark outside
In all these examples the verbs are active voice.
Type categories– this is also a constant grammatical category of the verb. The aspect of the verb expresses the relation of the action to its internal limit. Distinguish between verbs imperfect and perfect form.
Verbs imperfect form denote an action that has not reached its internal limit, i.e. his final result. They answer the question what to do?(There is no prefix in the question -With-).
For example:
I solved this math problem yesterday
This verb form contains an indication that I have completed this task.
1) verbs, correlative in appearance;
2) one-type verbs;
3) two-aspect verbs.
Verbs with correlative aspect– these are verbs that have correlative aspect pairs.
For example:
1) write - write, do - do, carry - bring, wake - wake up etc. (differ by the presence or absence of a prefix);
2) decide - decide, push - push, order - order, snack - snack etc. (differ by suffixes);
3) pull out - pull out, scream - shout, forgive - forgive, etc.(they differ in alternation in the root, as well as in suffixes);
4) cut - cut, scatter - scatter etc. (differ only in emphasis);
5) catch - catch, take - take(these are suppletive forms).
Monotype verbs- these are verbs that do not have correlative aspect pairs. In turn, this group has two varieties:
1) single-aspect verbs only imperfective;
For example:
1. walk, sit(denote actions that took place in the distant past);
2. peek, cough(with the value of intermittent action);
3. dance, say etc. (with the meaning of accompanying action).
2) single-aspect verbs only perfective.
For example:
1. sing (start singing), walk (start walking), run (start running)(with the value of the beginning of the action);
2. make noise, dissuade, spoil etc. (with the meaning of completion of the action);
3. to gush, burst etc. (with the value of the intensity of action).
Bi-aspect verbs - These are verbs that combine the meanings of the imperfect and perfect forms at the same time.
For example:
attack, telegraph, promise, command, wound, marry, etc.
The type of such verbs is specified only in a sentence or in related text.
For example:
1. People get married; I see that I’m the only one who’s not married.
(Pushkin. The Tale of Tsar Soltan)
2. Meanwhile, he marries Maria Ivanovna.
(Pushkin. Captain's daughter)
Verbs perfect form may have such shades of meaning :
1. They call an action that was single (happened once): I ran to the shore and threw myself into the water, quickly swam up to the boy, grabbed him with my hand and, rowing with the other, headed back to the shore.
2. They call effective action, i.e. one whose result is obvious: We hung a wall newspaper in the hallway.(This is what a member of the editorial board of this newspaper could say if he were asked: “Well, how is the newspaper? Is it ready?” The answer would mean: This newspaper is ready, you can read it - the result of the work is obvious). Nikolai grew up over the summer, tanned, got stronger and lost a little weight.(Having met him, you can be convinced of this). The words that are placed in brackets here emphasize the meaning that perfective verbs allow us to imply in these statements.
3. They call it a one-time action: I jumped onto the windowsill.
Verbs imperfect form may have such shades of meaning :
1. They call an action that was performed (is being performed, will be performed) repeatedly, usually or always: In the summer we ran to the river and swam in the still cold morning water. The cheetah even outstrips the leopard.
2. They call actions that are ongoing, not yet exhausted, lasting (in the past, present and future tense): In the morning I wrote a letter and thought about what Natasha would answer to it. The rain is noisy outside, water drops and streams are ringing against the glass of my room. These roses will bloom and smell fragrant for many more days.
3. They call an action consisting of a series of acts; Moreover, although each act is completed, exhausted, the series itself is not exhausted and is depicted as continuing: Every day we learned five new words. We weeded both of these beds many times.
Related information.
