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Transitive Verb

By Gerald Erichsen, About.com

Definition: A verb that is used with a direct object, or a verb that needs a direct object to express a complete thought.

Some verbs can be used only as a transitive verbs, but other verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively, depending on the meaning. An example of a verb that can be either transitive or intransitive is "to study" and its Spanish equivalent, estudiar. In the sentence "Tomorrow I am going to study" (Mañana voy a estudiar), the verb is intransitive; it indicates only the action without indicating the recipient of the action. But in the sentence "I studied the history books" (yo estudiaba los libros de historia), the verb is used transitively.

Examples:
Verbs in boldface in these sentences are typically used transitively: I love you. (Te amo.) He bought two shirts. (Compró dos camisas.) The critics praised the new videogame. (Los críticos alaban el nuevo videojuego.)
Gerald Erichsen
Guide since 1998

Gerald Erichsen
Spanish Language Guide

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