[*] 273. Verbs are either Transitive or Intransitive.
- A Transitive Verb has or requires a direct object to complete its sense (see § 274): as,—frātrem cecīdit, he slew his brother.
- An Intransitive Verb admits of no direct object to complete
its sense:—
cadō, I fall (or am falling). sōl lūcet, the sun shines (or is shining). [*] Note 1.--Among transitive verbs Factitive Verbs are sometimes distinguished as a separate class. These state an act which produces the thing expressed by the word which completes their sense. Thus mēnsam fēcit, he made a table (which was not in existence before), is distinguished from mēnsam percussit, he struck a table (which already existed).
[*] Note 2.--A transitive verb may often be used absolutely, i.e. without any object expressed: as,—arat, he is ploughing, where the verb does not cease to be transitive because the object is left indefinite, as we see by adding,—quid, what? agrum suum, his land.
[*] Note 3.--Transitive and Intransitive Verbs are often called Active and Neuter Verbs respectively.