Bashyboy Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
Studying Verbs
Hello,
I am trying to cultivate my speaking vocabulary. I know a rather lot of words, but I never seem to
have occasion to use them. In order to remedy this, I have resolved to carry around a paper containing words I
wish to study. However, I am having some difficutly with verbs, particularly their transitivity and intransitivity.
Let's take, for example, the word insist. As an intrasitive verb, it means "To be resolute or firm in a demand
or course;" as transitive, "To assert or demand (something) firmly or persistently." The meaning of each is
almost identical, only differing in word order and certain words used.
Now, this word is somewhat simple; but other verbs can have as many as four, five, or more definitions for their
transitive and intransitive parts. But as one notices, there are similarities between the transitive and intransitive
definition. My question is, which is the more fundamental part, its transitive or intransitive part? Can the
one part be formed from the other? For instance, can the transitive definition be formed from the
intransitive by addition of a few words, or vice-versa? I ask, because I am trying to cut down on how many
things I need to remember.
I am trying to cultivate my speaking vocabulary. I know a rather lot of words, but I never seem to
have occasion to use them. In order to remedy this, I have resolved to carry around a paper containing words I
wish to study. However, I am having some difficutly with verbs, particularly their transitivity and intransitivity.
Let's take, for example, the word insist. As an intrasitive verb, it means "To be resolute or firm in a demand
or course;" as transitive, "To assert or demand (something) firmly or persistently." The meaning of each is
almost identical, only differing in word order and certain words used.
Now, this word is somewhat simple; but other verbs can have as many as four, five, or more definitions for their
transitive and intransitive parts. But as one notices, there are similarities between the transitive and intransitive
definition. My question is, which is the more fundamental part, its transitive or intransitive part? Can the
one part be formed from the other? For instance, can the transitive definition be formed from the
intransitive by addition of a few words, or vice-versa? I ask, because I am trying to cut down on how many
things I need to remember.
Top answer
Some verbs are always transitive, and some verbs are always intransitive. I think that is the most important thing you need to know. Some verbs have many meanings regardless of their transitivity.
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Some verbs are always transitive, and some verbs are always intransitive.
I think that is the most important thing you need to know.
Some verbs have many meanings regardless of their transitivity.
Consider "run" for example:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/run?r=66
It h
I think that is the most important thing you need to know.
Some verbs have many meanings regardless of their transitivity.
Consider "run" for example:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/run?r=66
It h
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So, are you saying that there is no way of cutting down on the number of definitions, and that there is no rule by which the transitive is formed from the intransitive, or vice-versa, when a given verb has both transitive and intransitive definitions? I realize that some verbs are strictly transitive, and others intransitive; but how do I deal with those verbs which are both?
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Post your phrasal verb in the search box at http://fraze.it/. You will see many examples of sentences in which the verb has been used. This will give you a good idea of how you can use it.
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