I think I understand the transitive and intransitive verbs now.

Question

I think I now understand these verbs now. Its as simple as this (hopefully)

Transitive verbs are followed by direct objects.

Como una manzana - I eat an apple

Intransitive verbs are never followed by a direct object

se morió lentamente - he died slowly

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So all I now need to get is this: When you want to change a transitive verb into intransitive you add an estra "se" so that it completes a sentence.

EG: Romper - transitive

Rompió - he broke, which is not a complete sentence. You ask yourself, what did he break? Rompió el vaso - this is transitive still as it has a direct object.

Ok so if you want an intransitive verb from a transitive... how would you do this?

se murió lentamente - jeezzle, Mar 31, 2011

Answer 1

Intransitive verbs are never followed by a direct object

Maybe you didn't get my last explanation, but many verbs can be constructed transitively or intransitively.

I run - intransitive: no direct object

I run the show - transitive: it has a direct object

So, is "run" transitive or intransitive? Although some verbs are only transitive or intransitive, many verbs can go with or without direct object, so I prefer to talk about verbs that accept transitive constructions and/or intransitive constructions.

Ok so if you want an intransitive verb from a transitive... how would you do this?

You add "se" to it.

thanks for your help - dewclaw, Apr 1, 2011

Answer 2

Again, when the dictionary says a verb can be used as a transitive verb it just means that its use requires a direct object, a receiver of its action.

An intransitive verb is used so that it can act without having a direct receiver of its action.

You are not changing the verb itself with the addition of the pronoun se except for removing the requirement that the verb's action has a receiver.

A torpedo sank the ship. (sank is being used transitively and needs a receiver of its action, the d.o. (the ship).

The ship sank. (The exact same verb sank, but being used intransitively without a direct object.

Nothing is required to make this shift in use in English. In Spanish, however, a reflexive pronoun must be employed. You are not changing the verb, just using it in combination with a pronoun.

El torpedo hundió el barco. (transitive)

El barco se hundió. (The ship sank or The ship was sunk depending on whether you consider it intransitive or passive voice. If you want to name the agent, use the classical passive voice rather that the passive reflexive se. El barco fue hundido por el torpedo.) None of these constructions has a direct object.

You are going down the same path as others have on the term reflexive verbs. Verbs are not reflexive or non-reflexive. They are used reflexively or not. The dictionary labels them as reflexive/pronominal (or not) just to tell you how they can be used and the difference in meaning if there is one.

Likewise, verbs can be used intransitively or not with sometimes a change in nuance of meaning. They are not different verbs, however, and you aren't changing the verb at all, but simply how it is being used.

Sorry, this sounded too antagonistic, which it was not meant to be.

that is a good answer it clears up some grammer issues in English as well as Spanish - ILAle, Apr 1, 2011