Grammatical pattern: VERB + ZERO OBJECT

A verb with “zero object” simply means that the verb is used without any object following it. In a sentence like “She's driving her new car,” there is an object--her new car--but in a sentence like “She's driving,” there is no object following the verb. This is an example of the pattern [VERB + ZERO OBJECT]. Another way of describing this type of verb is the term “intransitive.” Intransitive verbs can be followed by other words--like the adverb "steadily" in the second example below, or the preposition "to" in the third example--but not objects. The sentence “He apologized that" is incorrect because “apologize” is intransitive. When we hear or read this sentence, we understand the word "that" to be the object of "apologize," which creates an error. To make the sentence correct, we have to say "He apologized for that," including the preposition "for." The sentence “He apologized them” would be equally incorrect. Here too, a preposition ("to") is required to make the sentence correct: "He apologized to them." The list of intransitive verbs would be too long to present here because vast numbers of verbs can be used intransitively. In the dictionary, verbs are marked as to their “intransitive” or “transitive” functionality. (Click here for a fuller discussion of transitive versus intransitive verbs.)

Additional examples of the pattern [VERB + ZERO OBJECT]

It’s raining.

It’s raining steadily.

I’m listening to you.

The fire drill lasted for an hour.

We won!

I know.