Verbs That Can't Passivize
What are intransitive verbs?
Today, I'm going to talk to you about intransitive verbs.
Intransitive verbs are verbs that do not have a direct object. This means that they cannot be put into the passive voice. For example, the verb "to arrive" is intransitive because it does not have a direct object. We can say "The bus arrived at the station," but we cannot say "The station was arrived at by the bus."
Can all verbs be put into the passive voice?
No, not all verbs can be put into the passive voice. Intransitive verbs are one type of verb that cannot be passivized. Other examples of intransitive verbs include "to sleep," "to laugh," "to cry," and "to sneeze."
Why can't intransitive verbs be put into the passive voice?
Intransitive verbs describe actions that are performed by the subject of the sentence. The subject of the sentence is the person or thing that is doing the action. In the sentence "The bus arrived at the station," the subject is "the bus." The bus is doing the action of arriving.
The passive voice is used to describe actions that are being done to the subject of the sentence. The subject of the sentence is the person or thing that is being acted upon. In the sentence "The station was arrived at by the bus," the subject is "the station." The station is being acted upon by the bus.
Since intransitive verbs describe actions that are performed by the subject of the sentence, they cannot be put into the passive voice.
What are some examples of intransitive verbs?
Here are some examples of intransitive verbs:
- arrive
- sleep
- laugh
- cry
- sneeze
- hiccup
- sigh
- yawn
What are some examples of sentences with intransitive verbs?
Here are some examples of sentences with intransitive verbs:
- The bus arrived at the station.
- The baby is sleeping.
- The man laughed.
- The woman cried.
- The dog sneezed.
- The child hiccupped.
- The woman sighed.
- The man yawned.
How can I use intransitive verbs in my writing?
Intransitive verbs can be used to make your writing more concise and clear. For example, instead of saying "The station was arrived at by the bus," you can simply say "The bus arrived at the station."
Intransitive verbs can also be used to create a more vivid and descriptive image in your reader's mind. For example, instead of saying "The man was happy," you can say "The man smiled."
What are some common mistakes people make with intransitive verbs?
One common mistake people make with intransitive verbs is trying to put them into the passive voice. This is not possible, as intransitive verbs do not have a direct object.
Another common mistake people make with intransitive verbs is using them with a direct object. This is also not possible, as intransitive verbs do not take a direct object.
How can I avoid making mistakes with intransitive verbs?
To avoid making mistakes with intransitive verbs, it is important to remember that they do not have a direct object. If you are unsure whether a verb is intransitive, you can check a good dictionary.