Verbs With and Without an Object
Some verbs have an object with -n, and others have none.
How It Works
| Kind of verb | Example |
|---|---|
| With an object | Kenji legas libron. |
| Without an object | Kenji dormas. |
| Both | Amara manĝas. / Amara manĝas panon. |
Grammar books call the first kind transitive and the second intransitive. A dictionary tells you which kind a new verb is, so look it up when you are not sure.
Verbs such as okazi (happen), resti (stay) and manki (be missing) have no object. A noun after them is the subject, even when it comes after the verb, so it takes no -n: Hieraŭ okazis kongreso.
Some English phrases lead you astray. Ĝoji (be glad) has no object. A small word shows what makes you glad: Mi ĝojas pri via letero.
Examples (5)
- Kenji legas libron en la trajno.
Kenji is reading a book on the train.
Legi takes an object, so libron has -n.
- Hiro dormas apud la fenestro.
Hiro is sleeping beside the window.
Dormi has no object, so nothing in this sentence takes -n.
- Amara manĝas, kaj Kofi manĝas supon.
Amara is eating, and Kofi is eating soup.
Manĝi works with an object or without one.
- Hieraŭ okazis kongreso en Pollando.
Yesterday a congress took place in Poland.
Okazi has no object. Kongreso is the subject, so it has no -n even after the verb.
- Mi ĝojas pri via letero.
I am glad about your letter.
Ĝoji has no object; pri introduces what makes you glad.
Common Mistakes
Putting -n on the subject of okazi.
Hieraŭ okazis kongreson.Hieraŭ okazis kongreso.Okazi has no object. The congress is what happened, so it is the subject and takes no -n.
Giving an object to a verb that has none.
Mi ĝojas vian leteron.Mi ĝojas pri via letero.Ĝoji takes no object. Use pri or pro to say what makes you glad.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Sorting verbs by whether they take an object builds on the usual order of a sentence.
Related Patterns
- Object Ending -nThe Object Ending -n
The ending that marks the object.
Level 1 - atendi / aŭskulti + Object in -nVerbs That Take -n Directly
Verbs that take an object where English uses a small word.
Level 3 - -ig--ig-: Make or Cause
An ending that makes a verb with an object.
Level 3 - -iĝ--iĝ-: Become or Get
An ending that makes a verb without an object.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Verbs With and Without an Object in Bubblegum
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