Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

klafterreith · Joined: 25 Nov 2005 Posts: 429

Mothere Teresa c h a n g e d to the p o o r s i d e after hearing an inner voice.
(=started living among the poor)

Would you accept `changed to the poor side�
Please comment

buddhaheart · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Not if I can help it!

mpbaird · Joined: 02 Dec 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Charleston, Illinois

This sentence does not make sense as it is now.

The reason is because the verb change has a transitive and intransitive meaning. Your sentence is confusing because you are implying one form, but using the other form.

Quick lesson: A transitive verb requires a direct object in order to make sense. Direct object.
I changed the television station.
I changed my shirt.
They changed their mind.

If you wanted to the use the transitive form of change. I would suggest.

Mother Teresa changed her lifestyle, by moving to live with the poor.

An intransitive verb takes not direct object but refers back to the subject.

Mark changed to become a better person.
Overnight the nation's mood changed.

If you want change to be used as intransitive verb then I would suggest the sentence.

Mother Teresa changed after hearing her inner voice. This change would be to live among the poor.

The phrase " to the poor side" doesn't make sense on its own. You should clarify what you mean by it. I imagine you mean that she moved to live with the poor of Calcutta.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions.