Grammar

Question 1

definitions: transitive direct, transitive indirect, intransitive

Transitive verbs by definition have an object, either a direct object or an indirect object. Intransitive verbs never have objects.

A transitive-direct verb acts directly on its object. In the first sentence below, the telephone is the direct object. The verb ‘entendre’ (to hear) always takes an object; one hears someone or something.

A transitive-indirect verb acts to or for its object. Tex is the object of the preposition à in the second sentence since Joe-Bob is talking to him.

Intransitive verbs, on the other hand, have no object at all. The verb dormir (to sleep) in the last example, does not need any object to complete it. In fact, because the verb is intransitive, it cannot take an object. Intransitive verbs (as well as transitive ones) may be modified by adverbs or prepositional phrases: ‘Joe-Bob sleeps in the car; he sleeps all the time.’

Transitive-direct:
Tex entend le téléphone. Tex hears the telephone.
Transitive-indirect:
Joe-Bob parle à Tex. Joe-Bob is talking to Tex.
Instransitive:
Joe-Bob dort souvent au volant. Joe-Bob often sleeps at the wheel.