Pattern 3: Intransitive (IT)

Clause Pattern:

IT = Subj. + V (+ optional elements)

An intransitive verb

1. is an action verb that expresses a doable activity such as swim, arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, die, etc.

2. cannot be followed by a direct object (DO).

e.g., Fish swim [the lake]. *

Fish swim [in the lake].

Common Intransitive Verbs: (Click here to view the full list)

Some verbs have multiple valency patterns:

Some verbs can have multiple valency patterns. Which valency pattern a word belongs is dependent on the context and needs to be analyzed case-by-case..

Example:

1. Let's eat. (IT)

2. Let's eat dinner. (MT)