Abstract:

In grammatical study, the transitivity of Chinese verbs has become a hot and difficult topic. There are various debates concerning the possibility and necessity of re-classifying Chinese transitive and intransitive verbs, defining the classification norms and sub-classification terms, etc. This thesis believes that transitivity is an essential nature of Chinese verbs and it is impossible to equal transitivity with verb value in spite of their connection. Based on transitivity, Chinese verbs can be re-classified into four types:transitive verbs, ergative verbs, intransitive verbs and pseudo-transitive verbs. In this classification, intransitive verbs sometimes include transitive verbs.

Key words: transitivity, verbal property, verb classification, inclusive model