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Kean Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Transitive verbs with object left out
I'm teaching a CAE book which has the following:
"Eat" is both transitive and intransitive.
Some transitive verbs can have the object left out when it is clear from the context e.g.
I can't find anywhere to park.
He really enjoys cooking.
So the book is suggesting that "eat" as in "Don't touch the dog when he's eating" is intransitive and the two examples above are transitive but where the objects are unneccessary.
My students are asking me what the difference is....Is my CAE book simply wrong or am I missing something?
cheers
"Eat" is both transitive and intransitive.
Some transitive verbs can have the object left out when it is clear from the context e.g.
I can't find anywhere to park.
He really enjoys cooking.
So the book is suggesting that "eat" as in "Don't touch the dog when he's eating" is intransitive and the two examples above are transitive but where the objects are unneccessary.
My students are asking me what the difference is....Is my CAE book simply wrong or am I missing something?
cheers
Top answer
You will find a variety of opinions among grammarians, not only with regard to this topic but with regard to many others. In my opinion, you are dealing here with "a distinction without a difference". It does not appear from the examples that there is any clear set of criteria by which your students will be able to place verbs in one group or another.
- You will find a variety of opinions among grammarians, not only with regard to this topic but with regard to many others.
- In my opinion, you are dealing here with "a distinction without a difference".
- It does not appear from the examples that there is any clear set of criteria by which your students will be able to place verbs in one group or another.
- If there is, I don't see it.
- In any case, nothing about mastering English hinges on the skill of placing labels on verbs.
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1 Answers
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You will find a variety of opinions among grammarians, not only with regard to this topic but with regard to many others. In my opinion, you are dealing here with "a distinction without a difference".
It does not appear from the examples that there is any clear set of criteria by which your students will be able to place verbs in one group or another. If there is, I don't see
It does not appear from the examples that there is any clear set of criteria by which your students will be able to place verbs in one group or another. If there is, I don't see
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