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Note.- Intransitive Verbs expressing being take the same cases after them as before them.
182. Most Transitive Verbs take a single object. But such Transitive Verbs as give, ask,
offer, promise, tell, etc., take two objects after them - an Indirect Object which denotes
the person to whom some thing is given or for whom something is done, and a Direct
Object which is usually the name of some thing, as,
His father gave him (Indirect) a watch (Direct).
He told me (Indirect) a secret (Direct).
183. Most verbs can be used both as Transitive and as Intransitive verbs. It is, therefore,
better to say that a verb is used Transitively or Intransitively rather than that it is
Transitive or Intransitive.
Used Transitively
1. The ants fought the wasps.
2. The shot sank the ship.
3. Ring the bell, Rama.
4. The driver stopped the train.
5. He spoke the truth.
6. The horse kicked the man.
7. I feel a severe pain in my head.
Used Intransitively
1. Some ants fight very fiercely.
2. The ship sank rapidly.
3. The bell rang loudly.
4. The train stopped suddenly
5. He spoke haughtily.
6. This horse never kicks.
7. How do you feel?
Note.-Some Verbs, e.g., come, go, fall, die, sleep, lie, denote actions which cannot be
done to anything ; they can, therefore, never be used Transitively.
184. In such a sentence as The man killed himself ' where the Subject and the Object both
refer to the same person, the verb is said to be used reflexively.
Sometimes, though the verb is used reflexively. the Object is not expressed. In the
following examples the reflexive pronoun understood is put in brackets:-
• The bubble burst [itself].
• The guests made [themselves] merry,
• Please keep [yourselves] quiet.
• With these words he turned [himself] to the door.
The Japanese feed [themselves] chiefly on rice.
These verbs may, however, be regarded as pure Intransitives without any reflexive force
whatever.
185. Certain verbs can be used reflexively and also as ordinary transitive verbs; as,
• Do not forget his name.
• I forget his name.
• Acquit yourself as man.
The magistrate acquitted him of the charge against him.
• I enjoy myself sitting alone.
• He enjoys good health.
• He interested himself in his friend's welfare.
• His talk does not interest me.
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Exercise in Grammar 36
Name the Verbs in the following sentences, and tell in each case whether the Verb is
Transitive or Intransitive. Where the Verb is Transitive name the Object: -
1. The sun shines brightly.
2. The boy cut his hand with a knife.
3. The clock stopped this morning.
4. The policeman blew his whistle.
5. The sun rises in the east.
6. An old beggar stood by the gate.
7. The clock ticks all day long.
8. I looked down from my window.
9. Put away your books.
10. The moon rose early.
11. The cat sleeps on the rug.
12. Cocks crow in the morning.
13. Your book lies on the table.
14. The fire burns dimly.
15. Time changes all things.
16. We eat three times a day.
17. Tell the truth.
18. The birds sing in the green trees.
19. The little bird hopped about and sang.
20. My new watch does not keep good lime.
21. The beggar sat down by the side of the road.
22. I could not spare the time.
23. He took shelter under a tree.
24. The boy easily lifted the heavy weight.
25. Balu wrote a letter to his uncle.
26. A tiny bird lived under the caves.
27. I know a funny little man.
28. Birds fly in the air.
29. A light rain fell last night.
30. I shall bring my camera with me.
31. You speak too loudly.
32. The dog ran after me.
Exercise in Composition 37
Write five sentences containing Transitive Verbs, and five containing Intransitive Verbs.
Intransitive Verbs Used as Transitives
186. When an Intransitive Verb is used in a causative sense it becomes Transitive.
Intransitive
1. The horse walks.
2. The girl ran down the street.
3. Birds fly.
Transitive
1. He walks the horse.
2. The girl ran a needle into her finger (ran a needle = caused a needle to run)
3. The boys fly their kites (i.e., cause their kites to fly)
187. A few verbs in common use are distinguished as Transitive or Intransitive by their
spelling, the Transitive being causative forms of the corresponding Intransitive verbs.
Intransitive
1. Many trees fall in the monsoon.
2. Lie still.
3. Rise early with the lark.
4. Sit there.
Transitive
1. Woodmen fell trees. (Fell = cause to fall)
2. Lay the basket there. (Lay = cause to lie)
3. Raise your hands. (Raise = cause to rise)
4. Set the lamp on the table. (Set = cause to sit)
188. Some Intransitive Verbs may become Transitive by having a Preposition added to
them ; as,
All his friends laughted at (= derided) him.
He will soon run through (= consume) his fortune.
Please look into (= investigate) the matter carefully.
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We talked about (= discussed) the affair several times. .
I wish for (= desire) nothing more.
The Police Inspector asked for (= demanded) his name.
Sometimes the Preposition is prefixed to the Verb; as,
Shivaji overcame the enemy.
He bravely withstood the attack.
The river overflows its banks.
189. Intransitive Verbs sometimes take after them an Object akin or similar in meaning to
the Verb. Such an Object is called the Cognate Object or Cognate Accusative. (Latin
Cognatus akin.)
• I have fought a good fight.
• He laughed a hearty laugh.
• I dreamt a strange dream.
• He sleeps the sleep of the just.
• Let me die the death of the righteous.
• She sighed a deep sigh.
• She sang a sweet song. He ran a race.
• Aurangzeb lived the life of an ascetic.
The noun used as a Cognate Object is in the Accusative Case.
The following are examples of partially Cognate Objects:-
He ran a great risk (= he ran a course of great risk).
The children shouted applause (= the children shouted a shout of applause).
190. A noun used adverbially to modify a verb, an adjective, or an adverb denoting
time, place, distance, weight, value etc, is called an Adverbial Object or Adverbial
Accusative, and is said to be in the Accusative Case adverbially; as,
• He held the post ten years.
• I can't wait a moment longer.
• He went home.
• He swam a mile.
• He weighs seven stone.
• The watch cost fifty rupees.
191. There are a few Transitive Verbs which are sometimes used as Intransitive Verbs.
Transitive
1. He broke the glass.
2. He burnt his fingers.
3. Stop him from going.
4. Open all the windows.
Intransitive
1. The glass broke.
2. He burnt with shame.
3. We shall stop here a few days.
4. The show opens at six o'clock.
CHAPTER 21
VERBS OF INCOMPLETE PREDICATION
192. Read the following sentences:-
1. The baby sleeps.
2. The baby seems happy.
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On the other hand if I say 'The baby seems' I do not make complete sense.
The Intransitive Verb seems requires a word (e.g., happy) to make the sense complete.
Such a verb is called a Verb of Incomplete Predication.
The word happy, which is required to make the sense complete, is called the Complement
of the Verb or the Completion of the Predicate.
193. Verbs of Incomplete Predication usually express the idea of being, becoming,
seeming, appearing. The Complement usually consists of a Noun (called a Predicative
Noun) or an Adjective (called a Predicative Adjective). When the Complement describes
the Subject, as in the following sentences, it is called a Subjective Complement.
1. Tabby is a cat.
2. The earth is round.
3. John became a soldier.
4. Mr. Mehta became mayor.
5. The man seems tired.
6. You look happy.
7. The sky grew dark.
8. Roses smell sweet.
9. Sugar tastes sweet.
10. She appears pleased.
11. This house is to let.
Note.- When the Subjective Complement is a Noun (as in 1,3, 4) it is in the same case as
the Subject, Le., in the Nominative Case.
194. Certain Transitive Verbs require, besides an Object, a Complement to complete their
predication ; as,
1. The boys made Rama captain.
2. His parents named him Hari.
3. This made him vain.
4. The jury found him guilty.
5. Rama called his cousin a liar.
6. Exercise has made his muscles strong.
7. I consider the man trustworthy.
8. God called the light day.
9. We thought him a rascal.
10. They chose him their leader.
Here, in each case, the Complement describes the Object, and is, therefore, called an
Objective Complement.
Note.- When the Objective Complement is a noun (as in 1,2, 5, 8, 9, 10) it is in the
Objective (or Accusative) Case in agreement with the object.
Exercise in Grammar 38
Say whether the Verbs in the following sentences are Transitive or Intransitive, name the
Object of each Transitive Verb, and the Complement of each Verb of Incomplete
Predication :-
1. The hungry lion roars.
2. The report proved false.
3. The boy stood on the burning deck.
4. The child had fallen sick.
5. The ass continued braying.
6. The wind is cold.
7. The results are out.
8. He tried again and again.
9. We see with our eyes.
10. The child fell asleep.
11. The weather is hot.
12. They are Europeans.
13. The rumour seems true.
14. Owls hide in the daytime.
15. Bad boys hide their faults.
16. The poor woman went mad.
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17. We waited patiently at the station.
18. He told a lie.
19. They elected him president.
20. I found her weeping.
21. He struck the man dead.
22. The crow flew down and stole the cheese.
23. The sky looks threatening.
24. They made him general.
25. He waited an hour.
26. New brooms sweep clean.
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CHAPTER 22
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
195. Compare:-
1. Rama helps Hari.
2. Hari is helped by Rama.
It will be seen that these two sentences express the same meaning.
But in sentence I, the form of the Verb shows that the person denoted by the subject does
something.
Rama (the person denoted by the subject) does something.
The Verb helps is said to be in the Active Voice.
In sentence 2, the form of the Verb shows that something is done to the person denoted
by the Subject.
Something is done to Hari (the person denoted by the Subject.)
The Verb helped is said to be in the Passive Voice.
Def.- A verb is in the Active Voice when its form shows (as in sentence 1) that the person
or thing denoted by the Subject does something ; or, in other words, is the doer of the
action.
The Active Voice is so called because the person denoted by the Subject acts.
Def.- A Verb is in the Passive Voice when its form shows (as in sentence 2) that
something is done to the person or thing denoted by the Subject.
The Passive Voice is so called because the person or thing denoted by the Subject is not
active but passive, that is, suffers or receives some action.
Def.- Voice is that form of a Verb which shows wherther what is denoted by the Subject
does something or has something done to it.
Note the change from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice in the following sentences:-
Active Voice
1. Sita loves Savitri.
2. The mason is building the wall.
3. The peon opened the gate.
4. Some boys were helping the wounded man.
Passive Voice
1. Savitri is loved by Sita.
2. The wall is being built by the mason.
3. The gate was opened by the peon.
4. The wounded man was being helped by some boys.
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Active Voice
5. He will finish the work in afortnight.
6. Who did this?
7. Why did your brother write such a letter?
Passive Voice
5. The work will be finished by him in a fortnight.
6. By whom was this done?
7. Why was such a letter written by your brother?
It will be noticed that when the Verb is changed from the Active Voice to the Passive
Voice, the Object of the Transitive Verb in the Active Voice becomes the Subject of the
Verb in the Passive Voice.
[Thus in sentence 1, Savitri which is the object of loves in the Active Voice, becomes the
Subject of is loved in the Passive Voice.]
Since the Object of a verb in the active voice becomes the Subject of the passive form, it
follows that only Transitive Verbs can be used in the Passive Voice, because an
Intransitive Verb has no Object.
196. The passive voice is formed with the suitable tense of the verb be followed by the
past participle. Study this table:
Tense (or Modal + base) -- Active Voice -- Passive Voice
Simple present -- take, takes -- am taken, is taken, are taken.
Present continuous -- am taking, is taking, are taking -- am being taken, is being taken,
are being taken
Present perfect -- has taken, have taken -- has been taken, have been taken
Simple past -- took -- was taken, were taken
Past continuous -- was taking, were taking -- was being taken, were being taken
Past perfect -- had taken -- had been taken
Simple future -- will take, shall take -- will be taken, shall be taken
Can / may / must, etc. + base -- can take, must take -- can be taken must be taken
197. Students must know when to use the Active Voice and when Co use the Passive : the
ability to change the Active Voice into the Passive and vice versa is not sufficient.
The Active Voice is used when the agent (i.e., doer of the action)
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preferred when the active form would involve the use of an indefinite or vague pronoun
or noun (somebody, they, people, we, etc.) as subject ; that is, when we do not know the
agent or when it is clear enough who the agent is.
My pen has been stolen. (Somebody has stolen my pen.)
I was asked my name. (They asked me my name.)
;
English is spoken all over the world. (People speak English all over the world.)
I have been invited to the party. (Someone has invited me to the party.)
We will execute all orders promptly. (All orders will be executed promptly.)
In such cases the agent with by is usually avoided.
Note, however, that, as in the examples given earlier, the fly-phrase cannot be avoided
where the agent has some importance and is necessary to complete the sense.
Exercise in Grammar 39
Name the Verbs in the following sentences, and tell whether they are in the Active or in
the Passive Voice:-
1. The cat killed the mouse.
2. We compelled the enemy to surrender.
3. The boy was bitten by a dog.
4. The thief was caught.
5. The boy made a kite.
6. The ship was burned.
7. The young man made a disturbance at the meeting.
8. The captive was bound to a tree.
9. The bird was killed by a cruel boy.
10. The sudden noise frightened the horse.
11. He is loved by all.
12. The exhibition was opened by the Governor.
13. I see a dark cloud.
14. His command was promptly obeyed.
15. Some of the cargo had been damaged by the sea water.
16. Nothing will be gained by hurry.
17. The dog chased the sheep.
18. This letter was posted last night,
19. The field is ploughed.
20. The dog was teased by the boy.
21. The cat drank all the milk.
22. A stone struck me on the head.
23. The old gentleman takes snuff.
24. The money was lost.
25. The letter has just been posted.
Exercise in Composition 40
Turn the following sentences from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice:-
(Note-The agent with by should be omitted in Nos. 7, 12, 25, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34 and
35.)
1. The cat killed the mouse.
2. The man cut down the tree.
3. Columbus discovered America.
4. His teacher praised him.
5. The boy teased the dog.
6. The syce feeds the horse every day.
7. The police arrested him.
8. Rama was making a kite.
9. The boy caught the ball.
10. My father will write a letter.
11. I will conquer him.
12. He kept me waiting.
13. The hunter shot the lion.
14. Hari opened the door.
15. A policeman caught the thief.
16. Sohrab threw the ball.
17. He scored twenty runs.
18. Your behaviour vexes me.
19. Manners reveal character.
20. He made a very remarkable discovery.
21. Little strokes fell great oaks.
22. Dhondu will bring the pony.
23. Everyone loves him.
24. My cousin has drawn his picture.
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25. We expect good news.
26. The farmer gathers the harvest.
27. His own brother swindled him.
28. The recitation pleased the inspector.
29. Somebody has put out the light.
30. The enemy have defeated our army.
31. They sell radios here.
32. I have sold my bicycle.
33. People will soon forget it.
34. They opened the theatre only last month.
35. We prohibit smoking.
198. When verbs that take both a direct and an indirect object in the Active Voice are
changed to the Passive, either object may become the subject of the Passive verb, while
the other is retained.
Active -- Passive
The guard refused him admittance. -- Admittance was refused to him by the ground., He
was refused admittance by the guard.
Mr. Krishnaji teaches us grammar. -- Grammar is taught to us by Mr. Krishnaji., We are
taught grammar by Mr. Krishnaji.
The manager will give you a ticket. -- A ticket will be given to you by the manager. You
will be given a ticket by the manager.
Who taught you French? -- By whom was French taught to you?, Who were you taught
French by? By whom were you taught French?
He handed her a chair. -- A chair was handed to her., She was handed a chair.
An indirect object denotes the person to whom or for whom some-: thing is given or
done, while a direct object usually denotes a thing. In cases like the above, it is probably
more usual for passive constructions to begin with the person.
199. Note that we use with (not by) to talk about an instrument used by the agent.
Compare:
The dog was hit with a stick. (Active Voice: Somebody hit the dog with a stick.)
The dog was hit by a boy. (Active Voice: A boy hit the dog.)
200. There are a few Transitive verbs which, even in an Active form, are sometimes used
in a Passive sense; as.
These mangoes taste sour (i.e., are sour when they are tasted).
The rose smells sweet (i.e., is sweet when it is smelt).
The cakes eat short and crisp (i.e., are short and crisp when they are eaten).
At least the play reads well (i,e., affects the reader well when it is read).
Exercise in Composition 41
Change the following sentences so that the Verbs will be in the Passive Voice:-
1. We saw you and him.
2. They asked me my name.
3. We refused them admission.
4. I bought the baby a doll.
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5. They found him guilty of murder.
6. A thunderstorm often turns milk sour.
7. You cannot pump the ocean dry.
8. They saw the storm approaching.
9. He keeps me waiting.
10. They painted the house red.
11. He told me to leave the room.
12. He promised me a present.
13. I shall order the carriage.
14. The boy is climbing the cliff.
15. One may accomplish many things by a little effort.
16. I am watching you very carefully.
Exercise in Composition 42
Rewrite the following sentences so that the Verbs will be in the Active Voice:-
1. He was praised by his father.
2. The first railway was built by George Stephenson.
3. The horse was frightened by the noise.
4. Not a word was spoken by Latif.
5. The teacher was pleased with the boy's work.
6. He was taken to the hospital by his friends.
7. The town was destroyed by an earthquake.
8. The road was lined with people.
9. The President was welcomed by the people.
10. Shakuntala was written by Kalidas.
11. The building was damaged by the fire.
12. I was struck by his singular appearance.
13. Those cars were built by robots.
14. The streets were thronged with spectators.
15. The trees were blown down by the wind.
16. We shall be blamed by everyone.
17. The child was knocked down by a car.
18. Alice was not much surprised at this.
19. He will be greatly surprised if he is chosen,
Exercise in Composition 43
Write three sentences with the Verbs in the Active Voice, and rewrite them with the
Verbs in the Passive Voice.
201. We give below further examples of the interchange of Active and Passive Voice.
Active. - All his friends laughed at him.
Passive.- He was laughed at by all his friends.
Active.- They made him king.
Passive.- He was made king.
Active. - They use video for teaching the students.
Passive.- Video is used for teaching the students.
Active.- One should keep one's promises.
Passive.- Promises should be kept.
Active.- When will you return the book?
Passive.- When will the book be returned?
Active.- Someone has picked my pocket.
Passive.- My pocket has been picked.
Active.- Circumstances will oblige me to go.
Passive.- I shall be obliged to go.
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Exercise in Composition 44
In the following sentences change the Voice :
1. We elected Balu captain.
2. I saw him opening the box.
3. We must listen to his words.
4. Shall I ever forget those happy days?
5. By whom was this jug broken ?
6. His subordinates accused him of various offences.
7. One cannot gather grapes from thistles.
8. The telegraph wires have been cut.
9. Alas! We shall hear his voice no more.
10. The 1998 Asian Games were held in Bangkok, Thailand.
11. Without effort nothing can be gained.
12. Do not insult the weak.
13. All desire wealth and some acquire it.
14. Why should I be suspected by you?
15. The information is kept on our computer.
16. The legend tells us how the castle received its name.
17. My watch was lost.
18. Why did he defraud you of your earnings?
19. The public will learn with astonishment that war is imminent.
20. He made his wife do the work.
21. The master appointed him monitor.
22. The doctor despaired of his recovery.
23. He was refused admittance.
24. They laughed at his warnings and objected lo all his proposals.
25. The people regarded him as an impostor and called him a villain.
CHAPTER 23
MOOD
202. The simplest use of a Verb is to make a statement of fact or ask a question ; as,
I write to my brother every week.
Who wrote that letter?
But a Verb may also be used to express a command; as.
Write neatly.
Or a Verb may be used to express a mere supposition ; as,
If I were you, I would not do it.
These different modes or manners in which a Verb may be used to express an action are
called Moods. (Lat. modus, manner.)
Def- Mood is the mode or manner in which the action denoted by the Verb is represented.
203. There are three Moods in English:-
Indicative, Imperative, Subjunctive.
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