Syntax: Verbs and Transitivity 1.1

August 18, 2015 By Robin Aronow

Syntax: Verbs and Transitivity 1.1

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This exercise is designed to help you become familiar with three types of verbs: transitive, intransitive, and ditransitive. These distinctions are based on the types of nouns phrases (arguments) verbs require. Remember that embellishments such as adverbial and prepositional phrases are not obligatory thus not considered arguments. A transitive verb requires an object that can be overt, e.g., Jon painted a picture, or covert, e.g., Yesterday Jon painted all day. An intransitive verb in not able to select an object. ex: Larry sleeps. A ditransitive verb usually, and sometimes requires two objects, one direct, and one indirect. ex: Harriet wrote a letter to the president. For the following sentences, select the best description of the verb type.

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Question 1

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

The professor was obligated to reteach the lesson to each student personally.

A	intransitive Hint: Even though the verb ‘reteach’ can be seen with only one object, it can take two objects and in this sentence does: ‘lesson’ and ‘student’
B	ditransitive
C	transitive Hint: Even though the verb ‘reteach’ can be seen with only one object, it can take two objects and in this sentence does: ‘lesson’ and ‘student’

Question 2

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

I could comprehend the language the tourists were speaking once I listened for several minutes.

A	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘comprehend’ requires an object, even if it covert (not spoken, the object being comprehended is understood by both the speaker and the listener.
B	transitive
C	intransitive Hint: The verb ‘comprehend’ requires an object, even if it covert (not spoken, the object being comprehended is understood by both the speaker and the listener.

Question 3

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

The neighbor’s dog bit the mailman twice this week.

A	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘bite’ requires a direct object thus is transitive.
B	transitive
C	intransitive Hint: The verb ‘bite’ requires a direct object thus is transitive.

Question 4

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

She wrote a letter to her parents letting them know when was coming home for vacation.

A	transitive Hint: The verb ‘wrote’ requires both a direct and indirect object thus it is ditransitive.
B	intransitive Hint: The verb ‘wrote’ requires both a direct and indirect object thus it is ditransitive.
C	ditransitive

Question 5

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

Louise fell down the steps in the dark.

A	transitive Hint: The verb 'fell' cannot have an object thus is intransitive.
B	ditransitive Hint: The verb 'fell' cannot have an object thus is intransitive.
C	intransitive

Question 6

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

Martine arrived at the party late.

A	transitive Hint: The verb ‘arrived’ cannot select an object. Remember that ‘at the party’ is a prepositional phrase and is embellishment or optional.
B	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘arrived’ cannot select an object. Remember that ‘at the party’ is a prepositional phrase and is embellishment or optional.
C	intransitive

Question 7

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

My mother baked a cake for our neighbor.

A	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘baked’ requires a direct object thus is transitive. The prepositional phrase ‘for our neighbors’ is an adjunct that is not obligatory.
B	intransitive Hint: The verb ‘baked’ requires a direct object thus is transitive. The prepositional phrase ‘for our neighbors’ is an adjunct that is not obligatory.
C	transitive

Question 8

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

Too many cooks spoil the soup.

A	intransitive Hint: The verb ‘spoil’ requires an object thus is transitive.
B	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘spoil’ requires an object thus is transitive.
C	transitive

Question 9

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

Jerry laughs at all Brenda’s jokes.

A	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘laughs’ cannot have an object although it can be embellished with an optional prepositional phrase. This is an intransitive verb.
B	transitive Hint: The verb ‘laughs’ cannot have an object although it can be embellished with an optional prepositional phrase. This is an intransitive verb.
C	intransitive

Question 10

Select which type of verb is bolded in the sentence below.

As soon as Nancy gets home from work, she turns on the television.

A	ditransitive Hint: The verb ‘turns on’ requires a direct object thus is transitive.
B	intransitive Hint: The verb ‘turns on’ requires a direct object thus is transitive.
C	transitive

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