Covert Direct Objects

The term transitive refers to verbs which can take a direct object. In fact, most verbs are transitive. However, transitive verbs sometimes occur without an overt direct object. The object is not explicitly articulated but is understood.

In the sentence Laura ate, the presumption is that she ate food. The sentence Norbert is reading presumes that he is reading a book or magazine, not a shopping list. In the sentence Thomas drinks too much, the implication is that Thomas drinks too much alcohol.

Transitive verbs that are closely related semantically often behave differently with respect to their need to express an overt direct object. For example, though the verbs devour and consume are related to eat, they require an overt direct object. One can say Carl ate but Carl devoured his steak and Carl consumed his entire meal.

Verbs can be classified into two categories, transitive and instransitive. Transitive verbs can take a direct object, but intransitive verbs cannot. Transitive verbs can be further divided into overt and covert. Overt transitive verbs require an explicit direct object, but intransitive verbs do not.