Spanish Transitive Verbs  

More on Transitive Verbs
A verb is Transitive when its action passes from the subject of the action to the object.

Transitive Verbs are divided into:

1. Active (when the subject of the verb stands for the doer or agent
of the action), as:

  • Renovamos nuestros ofrecimientos de servicios.
    We renew our offers of services.

2. Passive (when the subject of the verb stands for the real object of the action, viz., when it suffers the action instead of doing it), as:

  • Los ofrecimientos de sus servicios nos fueron renovados en su último escrito.
    His offers of services were renewed to us in his last letter.

The Passive voice in Spanish is formed with the verb ser as above, or by using the active voice with the pronoun se, as:

  • Se nos renovaron los ofrecimientos de sus servicios.
    His offers, etc.

Active verbs become reflexive when their subject and object are the same person or thing, as:

  • Nos lisonjeamos poderlos servir por lo mejor de sus intereses.
    We flatter ourselves that we can serve them to the best of their interests.

Reflexive verbs in the plural are also reciprocal, as:

  • Nos comprendemos.
    We understand each other.
  • Nos escribimos muy frecuentemente.
    We write to each other very frequently.

"Uno á otro" and "los unos á los otros" may be added for greater clearness, as:

  • Procuramos convencernos (á nosotros mismos).
    We try to convince ourselves (each other).
  • Procuramos convencernos (el uno al otro).
    We try to convince ourselves (each other).

The direct object of a transitive verb,[1] if a proper name of a person or place, must be preceded by "á", as:

  • Vimos al Señor Guillermo.
    We saw Mr. William.
  • Visitamos á Francia[2]:
    We visited France.
Footnote 1: With the exception of "Tener."
Footnote 2: But not geographical names preceded by the article, as: Avistamos La Habana (we sighted Havana).
Á is also generally used before any noun indicating a person,[3] as:
  • Empleamos á este corresponsal.
    We employ this correspondent.
Footnote 3: This part of the rule is not very strict, as we find it sometimes omitted before persons, and at others used before names of things, as: El hecho precedió á la palabra (the action preceded the word).
But "á" should be avoided whenever it would engender confusion, or when the verb governs an accusative and a dative at the same time, as:
  • Enviamos nuestro dependiente.
    We send our clerk.
  • Recomendamos el Sr. Pérez á nuestro fabricante.
    We recommend Mr. Pérez to our manufacturer.

Á is also omitted when the noun following it does not refer to a particular individual, but to any individual of a certain class, as:

  • Busco criado.
    I am looking for a servant.
  • Juan no quiere socios en su empresa.
    John does not want any partners in his undertaking.





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