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Clarence Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Decide: Transitive or intransitive

The following is a definition for Decide from the online version of Webster's 1828 dictionary. From the example given, shouldn't the verb be transitive rather than intransitive?

DECI'DE, verb intransitive To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion.

We cannot decide how far resistance is lawful or practicable.

Thanks,
Clarence
  

Top answer

", the verb "decide" is intransitive, that is, it has no direct object. "Decide," like most verbs in English, can be either transitive or intransitive. For example, in the following sentence it is transitive: "These new facts decide the question.

— Anonymous

  • ", the verb "decide" is intransitive, that is, it has no direct object.
  • "Decide," like most verbs in English, can be either transitive or intransitive.
  • For example, in the following sentence it is transitive: "These new facts decide the question.
  • " (Here, "decide" is transitive.
  • ")
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2 Answers
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In the sentence, "We cannot decide how far resistance is lawful or practicable.", the verb "decide" is intransitive, that is, it has no direct object. "Decide," like most verbs in English, can be either transitive or intransitive. For example, in the following sentence it is transitive:

"These new facts decide the question. We shall resist." (Here, "decide" is transitive. The direct
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Would it be correct to say that decide how in the sentence, "We cannot decide how far resistance is lawful or practicable." is the same as decide what/where/whether/if in the example sentences below? They are described by Merriam-Webster Learner's as transitive uses of decide.

1 a : to make a choice about (something) : to choose (something) after thinking abou
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