Lesson 121

Parts of the Sentence - Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are verbs that have subjects or objects that receive the action. They are either active voice or passive voice. Transitive active verbs are the verbs in sentences with a direct object. Example: The boy kicked the ball. The subject is the doer and the direct object is the receiver of the action. Transitive passive verbs have the subject receiving the action with the doer in a prepositional phrase or omitted in the sentence. Examples: The ball was kicked by the boy. The ball was kicked hard. The verb in the transitive passive voice always has is, am, are, was, were, be, being, or been as an auxiliary or helping verb.

Transitive active sentences can be changed to transitive passive sentences by making the direct object the subject and putting the subject either in a prepositional phrase or omitting it. Example: The daughter kissed her mother on the cheek. The mother was kissed on the cheek by her daughter. The mother was kissed on the cheek. (Mother is the receiver of the action in all three sentences, but in the last two sentences mother is the subject of the sentences.)

Instructions: Transform the following transitive active sentences into transitive passive sentences by putting the subject in a prepositional phrase.

1. The whole state elects the governor.

2. Children from all countries love that game.

3. The critics reviewed the new Broadway play.

4. The pirates hid the treasure quickly.

5. Terri examined the bugs on the tree.

 --For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The governor is elected by the whole state.

2. That game is loved by children of all countries.

3. The new Broadway play was reviewed by the critics.

4. The treasure was quickly hidden by the pirates.

5. The bugs on the tree were examined by Terri.

(Your answers may vary somewhat from mine.)

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DAILY GRAMMAR - - - - by Mr. Johanson

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