[Grammar] To based or To be based

[Checkmate]

I searched on Google and there was a result:

Horror Films You Didn't Realize Were Based on True Stories

I would say this is incorrect because "Based" is used as intransitive verb in this sentence. Did this website make a mistake?

 

[Matthew Wai]

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/base_2 Scroll down to 'PHRASAL VERBS'.
Do you think it is used as an intransitive verb?

Not a teacher.

 

[Checkmate]

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/base_2 Scroll down to 'PHRASAL VERBS'.
Do you think it is used as an intransitive verb?

Not a teacher.

Yea, I thought it was an intransitive verb because I couldn't think any object come after 'base'

 

[SoothingDave]

You need a better dictionary.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/base?s=t

Definition 31 covers this.

 

[Checkmate]

You need a better dictionary.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/base?s=t

Definition 31 covers this.

To be honest, I have seen the website. By the way, does it mean same thing?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Yea, I thought it was an intransitive verb because I couldn't think any object come after 'base'

'I based my learning on his teaching.'
Do you think it is an intransitive verb here?

Not a teacher.

 

[Checkmate]

'I based my learning on his teaching.'
Do you think it is an intransitive verb here?

Not a teacher.

It could be either Transitive or Intransitive but both mean different

 

[Checkmate]

'I based my learning on his teaching.'
Do you think it is an intransitive verb here?

Not a teacher.

This tells me something. Yes it is a transitive verb

 

[SoothingDave]

To be honest, I have seen the website. By the way, does it mean same thing?

Does what mean the same thing?

I showed you definition 31, which covers this exact meaning and usage. It is technically intransitive, but the prepositional phrase "on true stories" acts as the object of the verb "based."

 

[Matthew Wai]

It is technically intransitive

The dictionary below marks it as 'tr.v.', which should stand for 'transitive verb'. Am I wrong?
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/base

Not a teacher.

 

[SoothingDave]

The dictionary below marks it as 'tr.v.', which should stand for 'transitive verb'. Am I wrong?
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/base

Not a teacher.

It's a question of semantics/definitions. Is a prepositional phrase capable of being a "direct object"? Or if you use a prepositional phrase in that way is that use defined some other way.

Your dictionary calls it "transitive" but its example has a prepositional phrase as the object. My dictionary calls it "without object" and states that it is "usually followed by on or upon."

It all amounts to the same thing.

Another way to think of it is that "based on" is a transitive phrasal verb and "true stories" then becomes the direct object of that phrasal verb.

Remember grammar systems are defined by people trying to describe natural language. Not everything fits neatly into one category. And not every system of definitions is the same.

Personally, I would call the verb transitive and say that the prepositional phrase acts as the direct object.

 

[Checkmate]

The conclusion is "based" in "Based on true story" is a transitive verb. What does intransitive form mean?

Intransitive definition

31.
to have a basis; be based (usually followed by on or upon): "Fluctuating prices usually base on a fickle public's demand."

(Based | Define Based at Dictionary.com)