Transitive/intransitive – Exercises

Exercise

Decide whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.

  1. Mi skribas leteron.direct object leteron → transitive verb
    What did I write? - the letter    I write a letter.
  2. Infanoj iras en la lernejon.no direct object → intransitive verb
    en la lernejon is a place (a direct object is not preceded by a preposition)    Children go to school.
  3. Mi kuiris supon.direct object supon → transitive verb
    What did I cook? - the soup    I cooked soup.
  4. Ni dancis dum la tuta nokto.no direct object, but time → intransitive verb
    (a direct object is not preceded by a preposition)    We danced for the entire night.
  5. Vi montris la vojon al fremdulo.direct object vojon → transitive verb
    What did you show to the stranger? - the way    You showed the way to a stranger.

Choose the correct form.

  1. La instruisto la instruadon.komenci = transitive verb (direct object: la instruadon)The teacher starts the lesson.
    La tago per nebulo.With the suffix -iĝ- we can use a transitive verb without an object. (literally: The days begins itself …)The day begins with fog.
  2. Mi la vazon sur la tablon.With the suffix -ig- we can use an intransitive verb with an object. (direct object: la vazon)I put the vase on the table.
    La vazo sur la tablo.stari = intransitive verbThe vase was on the table.
  3. Ni en la festo.With the suffix -iĝ- we can use a transitive verb without an object.We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
    Liaj vortoj min.amuzi = transitive verb (direct object: min)His words amused me.
  4. Ŝi sur la sofo.sidi = intransitive verbShe was sitting on the couch.
    Ŝi sian filon sur la ĉevalon.With the suffix -ig- we can use an intransitive verb with an object. (direct object: sian filon)She sat her son on the horse.
  5. Ni niajn feriojn ĉe Internacia Junulara Kongreso.(direct object: niajn feriojn)
    Different meanings! pasi = pass; pasigi = spend time    We spent our holidays at the International Youth Congress.
    La tempo tie rapidege.pasi = intransitive verb
    Different meanings! pasi = pass; pasigi = spend time    The time passed very quickly.
  6. Mi pri lia hobio.With the suffix -iĝ- we can use a transitive verb without an object.I’m interested in his hobby.
    Lia hobio min.interesi = transitive verb (direct object me: min)His hobby interests me.
  7. La patro la bildon sur la muron.With the suffix -ig- we can use an intransitive verb with an object. (direct object: la bildon)The father hangs the picture on the wall.
    La bildo nun sur la muro.pendi = intransitive verbThe picture is now hanging on the wall.
  8. Ili dum la tuta tago.enui = intransitive verbShe was bored all day.
    Lia babilado ilin.With the suffix -ig- we can use an intransitive verb with an object. (direct object: ilin)His gabbing bored them.
  9. La knabo pro sia malbona noto.With the suffix -iĝ- we can use a transitive verb without an object. (literally: The boy angered himself …)The boy was angry about his bad mark.
    La knabo sian fratinon.ĉagreni = transitive verb (direct object: sian fratinon)The boy annoyed his sister.
  10. La avino la fenestron.fermi = transitive verb (direct object: la fenestron)The grandma closed the window.
    La fenestro pro la vento.With the suffix -iĝ- we can use a transitive verb without an object.(literally: The window closes itself …The window closes because of the wind.