The Russian language is complex, but logical. Many things in it can be calculated on the basis of classical thoughts about the structure of the world. The transitivity of a verb is also easily determined based both on the name of its category (transitive means denoting an action that passes to some object), and a number of grammatical features inherent only to it. Let's try to figure out how to easily and quickly see its transitivity in a verb?
First of all, we must understand that the transitive verb is associated not only with the subject (I am sleeping), but also with the object (I wake up the child) of the action. Accordingly, the category of transitivity can be seen already at the semantic level: if a verb requires an addition, if without it it is incomplete in meaning, then most likely it will be transitive.
The object of action in transitive verbs is a noun or pronoun in the accusative case without a preposition: for example, I meet (who?) him, brother (V.p.), I write (what?) a letter (V.p.) .
Transitive verbs containing negation or indicating part of the subject can be combined with nouns and pronouns in the genitive case without a preposition: for example, I didn’t buy (what?) milk (R.p.), I cut off (what?) bread (R. P.).
Unlike transitive verbs, intransitive verbs are not able to form semantic grammatical pairs with the above nouns and pronouns: for example, when talking about sleep itself, it is impossible to say “I am sleeping” who? what?, since the subject is sleeping on his own.
Most often, transitive verbs express the idea of direct physical influence of the subject on the object (I wash the dishes) or sensory interaction directed from the subject to the object (I love my mother). Intransitive verbs are usually associated with the semantics of movement or movement in space: for example, “I’m going” (you can say where I’m going or how I’m going, but you can’t say that “I’m going” and thereby impacting someone or something -influence) or “I am sailing” (you can say where I am sailing or on what, etc.).
Passive (the house was built by builders) and reflexive (I need money) verbs are never transitive.
In some cases, transitive verbs can be used without their “objective” object or even not have it at all in one context or another. In the first option, we are dealing with a reasonable omission of a word that is easily restored from the general meaning of the text and can be contained in previous or subsequent sentences (for example, in oral speech it is quite acceptable to say “I eat” without mentioning what exactly “I eat” since everyone who is with the speaker at this moment can already see this); in the second, we are talking about so-called labile verbs that acquire the category of transitivity or lose it in a certain context (for example, “I am writing” does not necessarily require an addition, since it can mean not so much an action aimed at a specific object, but rather the timeless occupation of a person, constantly writing different things).
Labile verbs are not recognized by all philologists. By default, it is generally accepted that in the Russian language there are only transitive and intransitive verbs. Accordingly, when encountering a verb in a text or colloquial speech that is similar to a transitive one, but does not have an object, a decision about the degree of its transitivity must be made based on its grammatical ability to be combined with nouns and pronouns in the accusative or genitive case without a preposition.
Transitivity/intransitivity is a category on the basis of which the relationship between the subject and object of an action can be distinguished. The meaning of this category is that the subject performs a certain action, and its result may or may not “appear” (not transfer) to the subject. Therefore, verbs in Russian are divided into transitive and intransitive.
Transitive and intransitive verbs. Lexical meaning
To determine transitivity, it is necessary to identify a key feature that acts as an addition to the verb and has a certain case marking.
A transitive verb is a verb that has the meaning of an action that is aimed at an object and changes or produces it (check the work, dig a hole).
Intransitive verb - denotes movement or position in space, or a moral state, or a physical state.
So-called labile verbs are also distinguished. They can act as both transitive and intransitive (the editor edits the manuscript - the world is ruled by the person himself).
Syntactic difference
The syntactic difference between transitive and intransitive verbs is associated with lexical meaning. Transitive and intransitive verbs are usually combined:
In addition, the object of action with transitive verbs can also be expressed in the genitive case, but only in the following cases:
- when designating part of an object: buy water, drink tea;
- if the verb has a negation: I have no right, I haven’t read the book.
Transitive and intransitive verbs (table) have the following basic differences.
Morphological characteristics
As a rule, these verbs do not have special But still, certain types of word formation act as indicators of the transitivity or intransitivity of the verb. So, a transitive verb is:
- all verbs with the suffix -sya (make sure);
- denominative verbs in which the suffix -e- or -nicha-(-icha-) stands out: to be picky, to become weak, to be greedy.
Transitive verbs include verbs that are formed from adjectives using the suffix -i-: green, blacken.
There are some cases when, by attaching a prefix to intransitive unprefixed verbs, transitive verbs are formed. Examples: harm and neutralize.
If there is no object in the sentence, then the transitive verb performs the function of an intransitive verb: The student writes well (the property inherent in the person is indicated).
Intransitive verbs contain a special group of reflexive verbs; their formal sign is the suffix -sya (to wash, to return).
Reflexive verbs. Peculiarities
Reflexive verbs are studied in the school curriculum, just like transitive verbs (grade 6).
A reflexive verb denotes an action directed towards oneself. It is formed using the particle (postfix) -sya (-s).
The following main features of these verbs can be identified:
- Firstly, they can come from both transitive verbs (dress - dress) and intransitive verbs (knock - knock). But still, reflexive verbs (transitive verbs after adding the postfix -sya (-sya)) in any case become intransitive (to dress - to dress).
- Secondly, these postfixes are added: -sya - after consonants (washed, washed, washed), -sya - after vowels (dressed, dressed). It is worth noting that participles are always written with the postfix -sya (dressing, washing).
- Thirdly, reflexive verbs are formed in three ways: suffixal-postfixal - by adding a suffix and a postfix to the stem (res+vi(t)sya), prefixal-postfixal (na+drink_sya), postfixal (wash+sya).
Formation of derivatives in -sya and passive participles
Since the main morphological properties of transitive verbs are the formation of derivatives in -sya and which is not typical for intransitive verbs, let’s take a closer look at this process.
In most cases, a transitive verb is one that forms a passive participle or derivatives with the ending -sya, which can have a reflexive (hurry up), passive (create), or decausative (break up) meaning.
Exceptions are the verbs add (in weight), cost, weigh, and most semelfactives in -nu (pick). In addition, these verbs do not form passive and reflexive derivatives.
But still, there are intransitive verbs that can form passive constructions. For example, the verb expect. He forms a passive from the intransitive construction with the addition in I expect the arrival of Vasily - the arrival of Vasily is expected.
Correlation of verb transitivity
While transitivity does not have a single formal expression, there are still tendencies that connect the category of transitivity with the formal properties of the verb, for example, with verbal prefixes:
- The overwhelming majority of non-reflexive verbs with the prefix raz- are transitive (to blur, to push apart). The exceptions are: verbs denoting movement with the suffix -va- / -iva- / -a- (waving, driving around); verbs expressing spontaneous changes in the properties of an object, in particular those containing the suffix -nu-, formed from intransitive verbs (soak, melt, swell); verbs containing thematic vowels -e-, which denote a change in properties (get rich, get rich); including calling, thinking about it.
- Almost all containing the prefix iz-, are transitive (exceptions: get wet, run out, deign and others).
Semantic properties of transitive verbs
The Russian language has a large class. In addition to those that are significantly affected by the situation, the verb may have a direct object that plays another semantic role (for example, see, have, create - with these transitive verbs nothing happens to the object, it is not destroyed, does not change).
So it turns out that contrast by transitivity should not be strictly connected with the semantic class of the verb. This means that a transitive verb does not necessarily have to denote an agentive-patient situation. But still, some trends can be noted.
So, a transitive verb is:
Semantic properties of intransitive verbs
Having identified the semantic properties of transitive verbs, we can determine the properties of all the others, that is, intransitive ones:
- Verbs are one-place, without objects, that is, characterizing a change in the state of the patient (direct object, significantly affected by the situation), which was not caused by the agent. Or there may be a case when the agent plays an insignificant role: die, rot, fall, get wet.
- Doubles with an indirect addition. That is, verbs of help (with the exception of support): promote, help, condone, assist.
- Verbs that are used with an object that is an integral part of the agentive participant of the verb (to move, move, wave).
- Verbs of perception of a fictitious situation (count on, expect (what), rely on, hope for).
Non-canonical types of direct objects
It has already been said more than once that the key property of transitive verbs is the ability to interact with the direct object in the accusative case. But there are classes of verbs that are used not only with nouns and pronouns in the accusative case, but also with a word or phrase of another part of speech that is semantically identical to it to one degree or another. It can be:
- prepositional phrase (I scratched his ear);
- genitive group (grandfather did not read this newspaper);
- adverbial group (he drinks a lot, I decided so);
- sentential actant (infinitive phrase - I like to go to the theater; subordinate clause used together with the conjunction - so that or - that - I understood that he will go to the sea; subordinate clause together with the conjunction - when - I don’t like it when it rains).
Some of the listed constructions can not only replace the direct object used with transitive verbs, but also be used to express a similar function with intransitive verbs. Namely:
Analogues of the above complements in the accusative case have, to varying degrees, the prototypical properties of direct complements.
Let's sum it up
Despite the fact that this topic is one of the difficult ones, we were able to determine what a transitive verb means. We also learned to distinguish it from the intransitive and distinguish reflexive ones from the latter. And to prove this, let us give as an example phrases with transitive verbs, with intransitive and reflexive verbs:
- transitional: paint the walls, treat a patient, read a book, sew a suit, widen a sleeve, buy tea, drink water, has no right, rock a child;
- intransitive: walk the streets, believe in goodness, walk in the park, become exhausted from fatigue;
- reflexive: achieve a goal, disagree, get closer to each other, obey the boss, think about existence, vouch for a brother, touch on an issue.
). It is grammatically opposed to an intransitive verb. Transitivity- a grammatical category of a verb expressing its aspect. From this point of view, a transitive verb is a verb of valency 2 or more:
I grow potatoes- the verb “to grow” is transitive, that is, it requires the addition of a patient (object of action). Without it, action is impossible (as a rule, “something” is grown).
The meaning of transitivity is that the agent (subject of the action) and the patient (object of the action) are separated, I perform an action with something.
I'm coming- the verb is intransitive, since the addition of a patient is impossible (in fact, you can “eat something”, but you cannot “go something”).
The meaning of intransitivity is that agent and patient are connected - roughly speaking, “I force myself to act.”
It often happens, however, that a verb has several meanings, some of which are transitive, while others are not.
I run - I am running(verb in intransitive form).
I run a company - I run a company(the same verb in a transitive form).
Transitivity is interesting, firstly, for its connection with the semantics of the verb, secondly, for its rare plane of expression, and thirdly, for its relationship with the categories of voice and reflexivity.
In semantic terms, many verbs with the meaning of the direct influence of the subject on the object are transitive ( beat, caress), sensory relationship ( be in love, hate) etc. Verbs with the meaning of movement are almost never transitive, since they cannot have a direct object.
The plan for expressing transitivity is interesting in that it goes beyond the scope of the word form, since its sign is the presence of a controlled noun. Transitive verbs are not verbs in the passive voice and reflexive verbs. For example, it is correct: “Vasya saved Dorimedont,” incorrectly: “Vasya saved Dorimedont,” “Vasya saved Dorimedont.” This happens because a verb in the passive voice describes the state of the object, not the subject's actions in relation to it. Reciprocity marks the direction of the subject's action towards himself, the mutual direction of the action, etc., which also excludes the presence of a direct object.
Stylistically, transitive verbs are often culturally marked. for example, in Russian it is considered uncivil to use a transitive verb without mentioning the object if it is not implied (for example: “What are you doing?” “I’m hitting”); although there are exceptions (“What are you doing?” “Eating”). At the same time, some transitive verbs, used without a corresponding noun, acquire additional euphemistic meaning. P. A. Vyazemsky wrote: “It is remarkable that in our common language the verb to take already implies bribes... The verb to drink also automatically equals the verb to get drunk” (See: Vyazemsky P. A. Poems, memoirs, notebooks. M ,1988).
see also
Literature
- Beloshapkova V. A. Modern Russian language. (any edition).
- Grammar of modern Russian language. M, 1970.
- Grammar of the modern Russian language in 2 volumes. M, 1980.
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
See what a “transitive verb” is in other dictionaries:
About the verb as a part of speech in the languages of the world, see the article “Verb”. In modern Russian, the initial (dictionary) form of a verb is considered to be the infinitive, otherwise called the indefinite form (according to the old terminology, the indefinite mood) of the verb.... ... Wikipedia
This term has other meanings, see Verb (meanings). A verb is an independent part of speech that denotes an action or state and answers the questions what to do? what to do? what did you do(a, and, o)?. The verb can be... ... Wikipedia verb - ▲ part of speech expressing, change verb part of speech expressing a change or state (he is sleeping. he has fallen asleep. he is turning white). participle. participle. bunch. transition. intransitive. verbal (# noun). mood:... ...
Ideographic Dictionary of the Russian Language transition - I B/ and A/ pr; 109 claim see Appendix II = transitional (intended for moving to another place, to another class, to another course, cf.: transitional and transitional tunnel, transitional and transitional exams) II A/ pr ; 109 See Appendix II… …
Dictionary of Russian accents , “responsible” for designating actions. It has not only changeable characteristics, but also constant ones - those that do not disappear when words are changed. Transitive and intransitive verbs in Russian
differ in the presence or absence of one of these permanent features - transitivity.
In contact with
The concept of verb transitivity Transitivity is understood as a grammatical category indicating the ability of the verb form, that is, to attach nouns (objects) in the accusative and, less often, the genitive case, which does not have a preposition.
This is the formal side of the definition. But what is a transition from the semantic side?
The meaning of transitive verb forms is that they denote “non-independent” actions that cannot be performed without a controlled object. Here are examples:
- To write (what?) a play, to serve (who?) a client, to not earn (what?) money are transitive verbs (simply “write” or “serve” is impossible, and “earn” without a controlled object is a verb with a different meaning).
- To sit (on what?) on a chair, to wash, to suffer (from what?) from an illness are intransitive verbs (you can simply “sit” or “suffer”).
Transition is what it is transfer of action from subject (subject) to object (called direct object).
In what cases should nouns be put?
Transitive verbs are able to control the object both in the form of the accusative case and in the form of the genitive case - in both cases without a preposition. But how do you know which of the two cases to use in each specific case?
The accusative is basic. The genitive addition takes on the form in the following cases:
- If it means “a certain amount of something”: “drank water” (n.) - that is, some part of the poured liquid; but “drank the water” (vin. p.) - that is, all the water in a given vessel or reservoir.
- In negative sentences, if the meaning “at all” is implied: “I didn’t eat your carrots” (I just didn’t eat) - “I didn’t eat your carrots” (I didn’t eat at all, not a piece).
- In negative sentences, if there is an intensifying particle “nor”: “We have no idea.”
The accusative case in negative sentences weakens the negation, and the genitive, on the contrary, strengthens it.
Important! Some nouns with transitive verbal forms acquire a genitive case form that differs from the main one: “I’ll take some sugar”, “not knowing the ford, don’t poke your nose into the water” (instead of “sugar”, “ford”).
How to determine the transitivity of a specific verb
How to determine transitivity? Problems often arise with this. The presence or absence of transitivity can be determined using the following method.
First you need to find the verb form in the sentence. Then find nouns or to which you can ask the question “who?” or “what?”
If there is such a word and there is no preposition with it, then this is a direct object; in front of us transition.
If the sentence is incomplete, then the direct object may not be present, but it is implied; in this case, you also need to ask a question in the accusative case of the verb: “Do you understand me? “I understand (who? what?).” If you can’t ask such a question, then this intransitive: “Where have you been all week? “I was sick” (it is impossible to ask “who?” or “what?”).
Important! All reflexive and verb forms in the passive voice are not transitive, that is, those that have the suffix “-s” or “-sya”: it seems, washes, is located.
While observing this rule, you need to keep in mind the meaning of the noun - it must denote the object of the action. There are situations when a noun in the accusative case without a preposition stands next to a verb and is related to it, but it cannot be transitive: “It takes an hour to drive,” “to live for a week.”
Transitivity of polysemous verbs
Verb forms of words can have multiple meanings. In this case, in the first meaning there is a transitive type, and in the second meaning the same word is an intransitive type. “He is telling (what?) a lie” is transitive, but “the child is already speaking (talking)” is intransitive. “The orchestra is playing (what?) a march” is transitive, but “the child is playing (busy playing)” is intransitive.
In humorous texts, a situation is possible when the normally intransitive becomes transitive: “Drink vodka and misbehave with discipline.”
The comic effect is built on this; the verbs seem to acquire the meanings of those instead of which they are placed– “to hooligan” instead of “to violate”, etc.
Obsolete meanings of intransitive verb forms may have transitivity.
“Trade” is an intransitive verb in modern Russian, but earlier, having the meaning of “price the price,” it was transitive: “To trade a horse.” This usage remains in folklore.
Differences between transitive and intransitive
Now you need to find out what is the difference between transitional from intransitive. First of all is its meaning. Transitional usually means:
- Creation, modification or destruction of objects (built a house, reduced the dose);
- Sensory perception of objects (I hear music, see the city);
- Contacting an object without changing it (touched a wall, stroked a cat);
- Attitude to the object (I love science fiction, I adore contrast showers).
It is also possible to distinguish the transitive by trying to form the passive from it. If it works, the verb is transitive; if it doesn’t work, it’s intransitive.
Collocations with transitive verbs always consist of a verb form and a direct object, sometimes a definition, circumstance may be included: cut down trees, drive a bus, find a pirate's treasure, learn a lesson quickly.
Transitive and intransitive verbs in Russian
Learning Russian - types of verbs, examples
Conclusion
It is not so difficult to assign a verb form to any of the groups. One has only to remember that one should analyze to a greater extent the meaning of the main word and its dependent word, rather than the external form: the same verb in different contexts can be both transitive and intransitive.
In Russian, certain categories of verbs can take a direct object. In this case we are talking about the transitivity of verbs. The article describes in detail the features of transitive and intransitive verbs with illustrative examples.
What is transitivity of verbs?
Transitivity of the verb– a grammatical category of verbs, reflecting the verb’s ability to attach a direct object. That is, transitivity indicates whether the verb can control non-prepositional nouns denoting the object of the action (object, person, animal, etc.).
For example: visit the exhibition, eat candy(direct object); grow before our eyes, stand near the door(indirect object).
In the Russian language there are transitive and intransitive verbs, which differ in meaning and control features.
Features of transitive verbs
Transitive verbs- these are verbs denoting an attitude or action aimed at a specific object (subject, person) and transferring to this object. Transitive verbs control the prepositional form of a noun in the accusative case.
If the verb is in the negative form, then the control is carried out by the noun in the genitive case. Also, controlling the genitive case is possible when we are talking about part of an object.
TOP 3 articleswho are reading along with this
Examples of transitive verbs: invite(who?) girlfriends, test(What?), do not read(what?) books, don't get it(what?) gratitude, drink(what?) water.
From a lexical point of view, transitive verbs can mean:
- The process of creating, changing or destroying an object (write a book, burn a log);
- Sensory perception (feel warmth, hear rustling sounds);
- An effect on an object that does not change it (thank friends, pet the cat);
- Relationship to object (hate rudeness, prefer coffee).
Passive participles are formed from transitive verbs.
Features of intransitive verbs
Intransitive verbs– verbs denoting an action that does not go to a direct object, and do not need such an object. As a rule, such verbs do not combine with nouns in the accusative case.
Intransitive verbs examples: lie on the couch, live with parents, rejoice new day, teach At school, accommodate in car.
From a lexical point of view, intransitive verbs can mean:
- Mental, physical state, position in space (to be sad, to get sick, to sit down);
- Movement and existence (walk, move, be, appear);
- Professional or non-professional occupations (to be a mechanic, to be lazy);
- Formation and identification of qualities (grow, blush, shrink).
How to determine the transitivity of a verb?
To summarize, we can distinguish 3 basic rules for determining the transitivity of a verb:
- Transitive verbs control nouns and pronouns in the accusative or genitive case without a preposition (drive a car, don't drink water);
- Intransitive verbs, when combined with nouns in the accusative case, require the use of a preposition (move into a car, quarrel over an argument).
- All reflexive verbs are intransitive (get together, build, fall in love).