intransitively

Intransitively is an adverb describing a verb that is used intransitively, meaning the verb does not take a direct object. Intransitive verbs possess a subject and convey meaning without requiring an object to complete an event or state. The action may be accompanied by adverbs or other complements that specify manner, time, place, or circumstance, but not a direct object.

Common intransitive verbs include those that describe states or movements that do not involve transferring action to an object. Examples: the cat slept; the sun rises; they arrived at noon. In each case, no direct object follows the verb. Note that many verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively depending on context.

Some verbs are ambitransitive (or labile), capable of functioning with or without a direct object. For instance, open can be used intransitively ("The door opened") or transitively ("She opened the window"). Similarly, break can appear intransitively ("The vase broke") or transitively ("She broke the vase"). The ability to switch between transitive and intransitive use is a feature of many verbs across languages.

In linguistic descriptions, intransitively is used to specify the usage pattern of a verb, indicating the absence of a direct object in that construction. This contrasts with transitive verbs, which require a direct object (the ball, the book), and with ditransitive verbs, which take two objects (a direct and an indirect object). Understanding intransitive usage helps clarify sentence structure, valency, and the grammar of different languages.