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Koji from Japan Posted 5 years ago
Grammar

Take over

Is ‘take over’ below used as a transitive verb phrase (‘take over the flowers’) or an intransitive one? Or can it be taken either way?


Probably the hardest part about keeping a garden beautiful involves getting rid of weeds. If the weeds are not dealt with, they will take over and kill the flowers.


Additional question: Is there a good synonym for this ‘take over?’

  

Top answer

Koji from Japan Is ‘take over’ below used as a transitive verb phrase (‘take over the flowers’) or an intransitive one? Intransitive. In the transitive use, they will take over the garden, not the flowers.

  • Koji from Japan Is ‘take over’ below used as a transitive verb phrase (‘take over the flowers’) or an intransitive one?
  • Intransitive.
  • In the transitive use, they will take over the garden, not the flowers.
  • A dictator takes over.
  • An army takes over an enemy country.
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2 Answers
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Koji from JapanIs ‘take over’ below used as a transitive verb phrase (‘take over the flowers’) or an intransitive one?

Intransitive. In the transitive use, they will take over the garden, not the flowers. A dictator takes over. An army takes over an enemy country.

Koji from JapanOr can it be taken either way?

No.

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If the weeds are not dealt with, they will take over the garden and kill the flowers.

Additional question: Is there a good synonym for this ‘take over?

Yes.eg take control of the garden.

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Often as in this example, the context make it clear what is being taken over.

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