Learn English – Can “process” be used as an intransitive verb

grammarintransitive-verbsverbs

I am currently spending some time creating a (partial) Liferay translation for the Greek language, and I came upon this original English message text:

Your request processed successfully.

Can the verb "process" be used intransitively in this manner? Or would this be the correct form?

Your request was processed successfully.

Best Answer

Process is an intransitive verb, but it means "walk in procession". Clergy and ministers process into a church service. It's pronounced differently, with the stress on the second syllable.

ODO doesn't allow process not to have an object, in the sense which is meant in your quote:

verb
[with object]
      perform a series of mechanical or chemical operations on (something) in order to change or preserve it:
      the salmon is quickly processed after harvest to preserve the flavour
        * deal with (someone or something) using an official procedure:
            the immigration authorities who processed him
        * Computing operate on (data) by means of a program.

However, it is also fairly common for computer output messages to omit the verb, headline-style; or to use jargon.

In the quoted message, it is clear what is meant: the request went through the process. But this use is jargon.

Related Topic