Transitivity and Voice

Question

When you change an active voice sentence into a passive voice sentence, does the transitivity of the verb change? For example, do we say "eat" is transitive in "Amy ate the apple" and then say "eat" is intransitive in "The apple was eaten (by Amy)"? According to the definitions "takes an object"/"doesn't take an object", we should, shouldn't we?

If that's right, then why do so many grammar books and websites give lists of transitive verbs? As soon as you use it in a passive voice sentence it's no longer a transitive verb.

And if that's right, then why mark any verb as transitive? These verbs are always both transitive (when in active voice) and intransitive (when in passive voice). It's interesting, though, that when a grammar book says that some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, they are not talking about making sentences passive at all. They never mention that. They give examples like "eat": Laura eats at 6 pm every day. Laura eats French fries every Tuesday.

On the other hand, one website gives this test: If you can change a sentence from active to passive, the verb is transitive. It doesn't say that it's intransitive in the passive, but it doesn't say that it's transitive either.

Comments welcome.

CJ

Joseph A · Accepted Answer

Hello CalifJim,

Today, I saw this question, and I hoped a native speaker would answer it, but a few minutes ago, I saw it again unanswered. You've been teaching me four about four years, but I would like to share my views on this topic in hopes of getting a satisfactory answer from the native speakers in this forum. In my native language, transitive verbs are transitive in both active and passive sentences. I think in English or I'm ninety-nine percent sure that this characteristic of transitive verbs don't change. More concisely, in English, transitive verbs are transitive in either voice active or passive. I would like to provide a link I got it from Google when I searched for this topic. It is a forum, but I'm not a member there. I accidentally found this forum and copied the link so that I would paste it here. Please don't misunderstand if I answer your question or a better way of saying it "if I share my views or contribute to this question". I'm sure you know the answer firstly, because you're a native speaker secondly, because you're skilled in the field of grammar, thirdly because you have an access to all sources as we do.

https://www.google.iq/url?q=https://socratic.org/questions/do-transitive-active-and-transitive-passive-sentences-both-have-a-receiver-of-th&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwia99_3hNzfAhWLxIsKHdUvAlgQFjADegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw0VwR9_lPj_D2aP2-F69WHX

Best wishes,

JA

Vsuresh · Answer

Hi CJ

I went through your question with examples.

I would like to mention a few things on how I have remember learning the concept of passive voice (probably from simple grammar books meant for learners in India).

Yes, I remember reading a sentence which reads "Some verbs are used both transitively and intransitively".

Keeping this in mind I would and even now give examples as these:

The glass broke. Dan broke the glass.

The bell rang at 4. Manish rang the bell at 4.

And, I remember learning that only transitive verbs can be converted into passive form, or, in other words passive voice is possible only when the verb is transitive.

By calling a verb transitive, the book meant that the verb has an object. This was explained in another way as well:

The verb is transitive when the action passes from the doer to the done.

( Randall moved the chair. The chair was moved by Randall.)

At this place, I think I can consider your examples (Amy ate the apple. The apple was eaten). You have said that shouldn't the verb be called intransitive in passive. To that I have a question and want to read your comments:

Here, in passive, "The apple was eaten" can't we consider "eat" as transitive as the object though not always given but understood in line with the explanation that says the verb is transitive when the action passes from the doer to the done?

I don't know if my post adds any value to yours, for I know how well you parse sentences considering semantics, grammar, sense, and style. Nevertheless I wanted to add what I felt I should add and read your comments on that for they will be another lesson to me.

Please give your comments.

Suresh

Transitivity and Voice

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions