In French grammar, verbs are classified based on their ability to take an object or not. This classification distinguishes transitive verbs from intransitive verbs, each playing a different role in sentence construction.
Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are those that require an object to complete their meaning. The direct object directly receives the action of the verb and answers the question "what?" or "whom?". Transitive verbs can be divided into two categories: direct transitive and indirect transitive.
Direct Transitive
- Elle lit un livre. (The book is the direct object of "lit".)
Indirect Transitive
- Il parle à Marie. (Marie is the indirect object of "parle", introduced by the preposition "à". When there is a preposition between the verb and the object, it is indirect.)
Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs are those that do not take a direct object. Their meaning is complete without the need to add an object. These verbs often express an action, a state, or a change of state that does not apply to another object or person.
- "Le soleil brille." (No object; "brille" is complete in itself.)
- "Nous marchons dans le parc." (Although the sentence contains a place complement, "marchons" has no object.)
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