English Language & Usage Asked on November 29, 2020
We can say "We launched the rocket." We can say "We made the plane take off." Can we say "We launched the plane?" If not, is there an acceptable way to say it using a transitive verb like "launch"?
I couldn't find any transitive verbs to fit this context, but there are many intransitive ones.
"Take off," "lift off," "depart," "become airborne," "take to the air," and "ascend" are all intransitive verbs that you could use to describe "launching" a plane.
"Take off" — (of an aircraft or bird) become airborne. [Lexico]
"Lift off" — (of an aircraft, spacecraft, or rocket) rise from the ground or a launch pad, especially vertically. [Lexico]
"Depart" — Leave, especially in order to start a journey. [Lexico]
"Airborne" is defined as: (of an aircraft) in the air after taking off. [Lexico]
Therefore, "become airborne" — is similar to "to take off into the air."
"Take to the air" — To begin to fly. [Macmillan]
"Ascend" — Rise through the air. [Lexico]
Correct answer by user392938 on November 29, 2020
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