The Direct Object of a transitive verb is put in the Accusative (§
274
).
The Accusative of the Direct Object denotes (1) that which is
directly affected
, or (2) that which is
caused
or
produced
by the action of the verb:—
-
(1)
Brūtus
Caesarem
interfēcit
,
Brutus killed Cæsar.
-
(2)
aedem
facere
,
to make a temple.
[Cf.
proelium pūgnāre
,
to fight a battle
, §
390
.]
There is no definite line by which transitive verbs can be distinguished from intransitive. Verbs which usually take a direct object (expressed or implied) are called transitive, but many of these are often used
intransitively
or
absolutely.
Thus
timeō
,
I fear
, is transitive in the sentence
inimīcum timeō
,
I fear my enemy
, but intransitive (
absolute
) in
nōlī timēre
,
don't be afraid.
Again, many verbs are transitive in one sense and intransitive in another: as,—
Helvētiōs superāvērunt Rōmānī
,
the Romans overcame the Helvetians;
but
nihil superābat
,
nothing remained
(was left over). So also many verbs commonly intransitive may be used transitively with a slight change of meaning: as,—
rīdēs
,
you are laughing;
but
mē rīdēs
,
you're laughing at me.
The object of a transitive verb in the active voice becomes its subject in the passive, and is put in the nominative (§
275
):—
-
Brūtus
Caesarem
interfēcit
,
Brutus killed Cæsar.
-
Caesar
ā
Brūtō interfectus est
,
Cæsar was killed by Brutus.
-
domum
aedificat
,
he builds a house.
-
domus
aedificātur
,
the house is building
(being built).
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