14.1 ACTION VERBS

14.1.1 An action verb tells what action someone or something is performing.

EXAMPLES Father carries the ladder. The ship chugged into the harbor. I believe it will snow. Sandor remembered to bring his puzzle.

The verb carries explains what Father does with the ladder. The verb chugged tells what the ship did. The verb believe explains my action about the weather. The verb remembered explains Sandor's action with the puzzle. Some actions, such as carries or chugged, can be seen. Some actions, such as believe or remembered, cannot be seen.

14.1.2 An action verb is transitive if the receiver of the action is named in the sentence. The receiver of the action is called the object of the verb.

EXAMPLES Pete opened the window with great difficulty. The truck suddenly hit the trashcan. 14.1.3 An action verb is intransitive if there is no receiver of the action named in the sentence. An intransitive verb does not have an object.

EXAMPLES The race began on time. The bus raced through the traffic light. Students gathered in the gym.

Some action verbs can be transitive or intransitive. You need to determine if the verb has an object or not. Transitive Verb Amy painted the front door. Intransitive Verb Amy painted in her studio.

Transitive Verb The captain sailed the ship. Intransitive Verb The captain sailed out to sea. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE - STUDY GUIDE

Active Form

In active sentences, the thing doing the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing receiving the action is the object.

[Thing doing action] + [verb] + [thing receiving action] Passive Form

In passive sentences, the thing receiving the action is the subject of the sentence and the thing doing the action is optionally included near the end of the sentence. You can use the passive form if you think that the thing receiving the action is more im- portant or should be emphasized. You can also use the passive form if you do not know who is doing the action or if you do

[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle of verb] + [by] + [thing doing action]

Simple Present Once a week, Tom cleans the house. Once a week, the house is cleaned by Tom.

Simple Past Sam repaired the car. The car was repaired by Sam.

Simple Future Tom will finish the work before 5:00 PM. The work will be finished by Tom before 5:00 will PM

Simple Future Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner A beautiful dinner is going to be made by be going to tonight. Sally tonight.