The verb “to be” is intransitive as it does not take an object, but rather connects to a noun complement. Here, “happy” is a complement, telling us something about the noun, “I”, rather than an object, which would be a different noun.

I am happy. Is it transitive or intransitive?

Hi Shizuka,

Yes, I believe that’s a fair summary.

Phil

Is it right to say that in the sentence “she swam across the lake”, the verb “swim” acts as an intransitive verb?

But in “she swam the lake”, “swim” acts as a transitive verb?

Regards,
Shizuka

Hi Shizuka,

On the first point, ah yes I think we touched on this elsewhere, it’s a problem with how we define verbs, as it is easiest to refer to actions or ‘doing’ words which isn’t entirely accurate. But you’re right action is not necessarily the best word, perhaps the function of the verb would suit better?

On the second point, I simply meant that the object is connected to the subject; they had a direct relationship.

Third: yes those descriptions agree with each, I’d say the ‘state of being’ is fairly well expanded in the middle example, it is essentially the condition, perhaps best explained as ‘how’ the subject is. Your final example is a good way of looking at it – being describes how a subject is/was, whilst other verbs may refer to states of doing, what a subject is/was doing.

No problem on the long post, just bear with me as it can take a while to come back to them all!

Best,

Phil

Thanks.

Firstly, what I meant by the question of how do we address the definition of a transitive verb which says that “a transitive verb is one that is used with an object (a noun, phrase, or pronoun) that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb”, is that since object of a transitive verb is affected by the “action” of the verb, and since we know that stative verbs denote or represent states instead of action, then wouldn’t it make sense stative verbs cant be transitive if we go by the exact wording of this definition of transitive verb?

Secondly, thanks again for your explanation above. Interestingly, you mentioned that “a transitive stative verb does use an object referring to or affecting the subject” – actually may i know what you mean by an object referring to or affecting the subject? Since the subject is the “do-er” of the action, wouldnt it be right to say that the object of the transitive verb is affected by the subject through the subject’s action on the object?

Thirdly, I have an additional query on stative verbs, specifically on a sub-category of stative verbs known as “linking verbs”. I have read from several sources that say “linking verbs show states of being”, and “linking verbs tells us about the state of condition of the sentence’s subject”, as well as “Linking verbs (also known as copulas or copular verbs) are used to describe the state of being of the subject of a clause”. My question is do these explanations all agree with each other, and if so, I don’t quite understand the meaning of “state of being”? What exactly does “state of being” mean?

And are linking verbs called states of being verbs simply because a linking verb shows that the subject is in a state of “being” something, just as for example if someone is running, i can describe that person as being in a state of “running”, however now instead of a dynamic action like running, the person is in a state of “being”? Perhaps another way of putting it is that the person is in a state of “are-ing, is-ing, was-ing” etc depending on the subject’s person as well as tense of the linking verb. Does this sound right?

Apologies for the lengthy post once again, and thanks so much for your kind advice.

Regards,
Shizuka

Hi Shizuka,

I’m not sure I totally follow the problem here, as I think the principle fit’s it essentially the same way – essentially a transitive stative verb does use an object referring to or affecting the subject:
I know Paul. (Paul refers as an object back to the subject, who does the subject know?)

Phil

Hi Phil,

Thanks. I see, so stative verbs can also be transitive. If so, how can we address this definition of transitive verbs [i.e. a transitive verb is one that is used with an object (a noun, phrase, or pronoun) that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb]?

Hi Shizuka,

Stative verbs are often intransitive, but they can be transitive as some certainly take an object, for example those expressing a feeling/opinion about something, like ‘to love’, or ‘to know’:

I love cake.
I know the answer.

These aren’t necessarily active/dynamic, but they do still use an object.

Best,
Phil

Hi Phil,

Since the definition of a transitive verb is that “a transitive verb is one that is used with an object: a noun, phrase, or pronoun that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb”, and knowing that verbs and broadly be grouped into stative (state) and dynamic (action) verbs, my question is whether stative verbs can be transitive?

I ask this because my understanding is that state or stative verbs convey states and not actions, and since the definition of a transitive verb is one which is used with an object that is affected by the action of the verb (emphasis here being “action” and not a state), is it then possible for stative verbs to be transitive?

Regards,
Shizuka