Using transitive and intransitive verbs

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Introducing ergative verbs

Ergative verbs are not dealt with systematically in most course books, and students often have difficulty with ergative verbs, especially with relation to passive voice.

For information about some of the problems that students have with ergative verbs, see
06studpr.gif (552 bytes) Using transitive and intransitive verbs: Students' problems (p 7).

For further information about ergative verbs, see 04conten.gif (549 bytes) Using transitive and intransitive verbs: Using ergative verbs.

For further information about passive voice in general, see 09cover.gif (983 bytes) Using passive voice: Overview.

If you would like to see a teaching activity for Secondary 4 - 5 which gives students controlled written practice in using the passive voice, click on 08tifile.gif (521 bytes) PASSIVE NEWS REPORTS.

07tim.gif (542 bytes) Introduction
07tim.gif (542 bytes) Most verbs can be used transitively and intransitively
07tim.gif (542 bytes) Deciding whether a verb is transitive or intransitive
07tim.gif (542 bytes) Choice of nouns in direct object position
07tim.gif (542 bytes) Behaviour of indirect objects after certain verbs
07tim.gif (542 bytes) Omitting the "by phrase" in passive voice
square.gif (58 bytes) Introducing ergative verbs

gend.gif (844 bytes)