Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Front

What is a transitive verb?

Back

A transitive verb is an action verb that requires one or more objects to complete its meaning. For example, in the sentence 'She kicked the ball,' 'kicked' is a transitive verb because it has a direct object, 'the ball.'

Front

What is an intransitive verb?

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An intransitive verb is an action verb that does not require a direct object to complete its meaning. For example, in the sentence 'He sleeps,' 'sleeps' is an intransitive verb.

Front

Identify the verb type: 'The princess saved him from punishment.'

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Transitive verb (saved) - it has a direct object 'him.'

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Identify the verb type: 'Mrs. Davidson uses grammar to write her papers correctly.'

Back

Transitive verb (uses) - it has a direct object 'grammar.'

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Identify the verb type: 'When they call from the charity, Mrs. Alpert always gives generously.'

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Intransitive verb (gives) - it does not have a direct object.

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Identify the verb type: 'Freida has lived in three different countries.'

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Intransitive verb (lived) - it does not have a direct object.

Front

Identify the verb type: 'Anger also amuses us with his short temper.'

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Transitive verb (amuses) - it has a direct object 'us.'

Front

What is the role of a direct object in a sentence?

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A direct object receives the action of the verb and answers the question 'what?' or 'whom?' For example, in 'She reads a book,' 'a book' is the direct object.

Front

Can a verb be both transitive and intransitive?

Back

Yes, some verbs can function as both transitive and intransitive depending on the context. For example, 'He runs' (intransitive) vs. 'He runs a marathon' (transitive).

Front

What is an example of a sentence with a transitive verb?

Back

'The teacher explained the lesson.' Here, 'explained' is a transitive verb with 'the lesson' as the direct object.