An Intransitive Verb Phrase is a verb phrase that does not express (1) transitive action, (2) possession, (3) obligation, or (4) lack or need.

Exercise 77

Show that all copulative verb phrases are intransitive. Show that some attributive verb phrases are transitive and some are intransitive.

Exercise 78

Select the essential elements of each sentence. Tell what each predicate attribute expresses.

Classify each verb phrase as (1) copulative, (2) attributive transitive, or (3) attributive intransitive. Be able to tell what verb each part is a form of. A few of the sentences do not contain verb phrases. Classify the verbs of these.

The following models illustrate an easy way of showing most of the decisions called for.

1.

John

is

cutting

the

grass

short.

1

2

3

4

5

Tr. act.

Att. tr. v. ph.

2.

John

cut

the

grass

short.

1

2-3

4

5

Tr. act.

Att. tr. v.

3.

The

child

has been

contented.

1

2

3

Cop. v. ph.

condition

1. The clever fellow has been making a trap.

2. It may rain before night.

3. The sky has become dark.

4. He will know us at once.

5. The grain has long been ready for the harvesters.

6. She was talking angrily.

7. Was she angry?

8. The men were hastily hoisting the drawbridge.

9. The drawbridge was hastily hoisted by the men.

10. She has been laughing at her mistake.

11. Beautiful flowers grew there.

12. He has grown old and feeble.

13. He has not his former strength.

14. Little Katherine will wipe the dishes dry.

15. In making your garden, you will need three tools.

16. They have not seen the child for hours.

17. I may find some other wrong to right.

18. His specialty is raising roses.

19. The corn has already been harvested.

20. I shall rejoice to see you.

21. I shall be glad to see you.

22. Not a living soul did Siegfried see.

23. She seems to be truthful.

24. Have the sidewalks been cleaned?

25. The earth then was still very young.

26. Have the shingles been warped by heat?

27. The fruit was turning purple and gold.

28. Respect the rights of others.

29. He must have been trying.

30. He must have been patient.

31. Bend the wire double.

32. He has burning fever.

33. She may have been deceived by the boy.