Using transitive and intransitive verbs
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Overview | page 4 of 5 |
Verbs which can be used transitively and intransitively with the same meaning
In English, there is a small group of verbs (related mainly to change or movement)
which can be used transitively 
or intransitively
with the same basic meaning. The word roll is
an example. Compare the following two examples:
Roger rolled the ball down the hill.
The ball rolled down the hill.
In the first example, it is clear that the ball rolled down the hill because Roger caused it to, whereas in the second example, only the action itself is represented, so it seems that the ball rolled down the hill of its own accord.
The technical term for these verbs is ergative verbs. Ergative verbs allow a speaker or writer the option of representing an action as if no one or nothing was responsible for causing it.
For further information about ergative verbs, see 
Using
transitive and intransitive verbs: Using ergative verbs.
Introduction
Verbs which can be used transitively and intransitively with the same meaning
