Differences between transitive and intransitive verbs

Transitivity and intransitivity are two qualities that, taking meaning as a starting point, define the verb in Spanish. Although in another lesson we saw what thes transitive and intransitive verbs, in this lesson from a TEACHER we explain what the differences between transitive and intransitive verbs and we will accompany the explanation with several examples of each type so that you can better understand how this type of verb is used and the structure it has when forming it grammatically. Keep reading!

People say that a verb is transitive when it requires the presence of two or more complements within the sentence. These complements are called "arguments" and their main function is to complete the meaning of the verb, since without them, it would not be understood.

For example, the verb offer is formed from the structure "Someone offers something to someone". In this way, for the sentence to have its own and complete meaning, we need syntactically and semantically a subject (the person that offers), a direct object (the object or thing that is offered) and an indirect object (the person to whom it is offers):

• I offer you my help.

Analyzing the previous sentence we observe that the verb "offer" governs three arguments: the subject (which in this case is elliptical, "I"), the direct object ("my help") and, finally, the indirect object ("you"). Some more examples of transitive verbs are: kiss, buy, explain, have.

On the other hand, it should be noted that some transitive verbs can function as intransitive; that is, without the direct object explicitly manifesting. An example would be the verb to drink, which is a transitive verb because it needs a subject and a direct object ("Someone baby something"). However, in Spanish it is possible to say I just drank because I was very thirsty, since, semantically, we imply the information that what is drunk is some type of liquid.

The same goes for the verb eat in sentences like I have eaten more than necessary (it is inferred that it is some kind of food) or with the verb read on I always like to read before sleeping (It is understood that books or magazines are read).

Unlike the previous ones, intransitive verbs are verbs that do not need the presence of arguments in order to understand its full meaning, but in the verb form itself we find all the semantic characteristics that we need to understand it and know how to use it.

Thus, the verb slim down it is constructed solely with the subject: "Someone loses weight", in such a way that there is neither direct nor indirect object: You've lost a lot this summer.

More examples of intransitive verbs are: appear, cry, die, smile.

Once we have explained what are the characteristics of transitive and intransitive verbs, now we are going to detail the differences that exist between both verb typologies.

The main distinguishing element between transitive and intransitive verbs is the presence or absence of the direct complement Well, as we have said, there are verbs, the transitives, that do not complete their meaning if they are not accompanied by the subject and the complement. direct while other verbs, intransitives, only need the subject to be in the sentence, who is in charge of carrying out the action.

Examples of phrases with intransitive verbs:

• My mother smiled
• The dogs play
• The thief fled

Examples of phrases with transitive verbs:

• Juan bought takeout
• Take the car to go to the mountain
• Rosa looked at the clock on the wall