In the English language, verbs play an essential role as they show action. But do you know what is transitive and intransitive verbs? Transitive and intransitive verbs are two classes of verbs. These are used to indicate that the person or thing acted. The blog covers everything about transitive and intransitive verbs. Moreover, there are examples provided for your reference. In addition to that, a worksheet for practice is also given. Let us first begin by understanding what transitive and intransitive are.
Table of Contents
Each sentence in the English language uses transitive or intransitive verbs. However, what makes the verb transitive or intransitive depends on the way you use it.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “transitive verbs can be characterized by having or containing a direct object.” A transitive verb in English is often used with a direct object. This kind of verb needs a direct object to complete the action being performed by the subject. Thus, a word that can be associated with transitive is transfer. Moreover, a transitive verb is an action that moves or transits from the subject through the verb to the direct object.
As per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “ intransitive verbs can be characterized by not having or containing a direct object.” In English grammar, an intransitive verb is a verb that does not require any direct object as there is nothing to receive the action. An intransitive verb does not necessarily need an object to make sense of the action being performed. That means even in the absence of an object, the sentence will make sense and be complete.
Also Read: Nouns
To identify the class of verbs - transitive and intransitive- it is vital to understand the role they play in a sentence.
1. Identifying Transitive Verbs
The best way to identify transitive verbs is to look for answers to ‘what’ or ‘whom'. It answers these questions after the verb. Moreover, the sentence will make sense with an object.
2. Identifying Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs do not answer the question ‘what’ or ‘whom’ after the verb. The sentence will make sense even without an object.
However, some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context. They may not have an object and still answer to ‘what’ or ‘whom’ after the verb.
Still, finding it difficult to comprehend what is transitive and intransitive verbs? The table below shows the difference between the two kinds of verbs in English language.
| Transitive Verbs | Intransitive Verbs |
|---|---|
| Needs an object to make complete sense of the action. | Does not need an object to make complete sense of the action. |
| A sentence that uses a transitive verb can be changed into a passive voice. | A sentence that makes use of an intransitive verb cannot be altered into passive voice. |
| Transitive verbs are followed by an object (may be direct or indirect). | Intransitive verbs might have an adverb or prepositional phrase that completes their meaning. |
| Transitive verbs occur in sentences that follow the SVO, SVIODO, SVOC, SVOA, ASVO patterns. | Intransitive verbs usually occur in sentences with the pattern ASVC, SV, SVC, ASVA, and so on. |
Abbreviations in the above table are as follows:
S - Subject
V - Verb
O - Object
IO - Indirect Object
DO - Direct Object
A - Action
C - Complement
Also Read: Pronouns
This section covers a few examples of transitive and intransitive sentences for your reference. Read them to get a better understanding and clarity of the two verbs.
| Examples of Transitive Verbs | Examples of Intransitive Verbs |
|---|---|
| The tutor addressed the student’s question. | The student arrived at the school. |
| The committee members will raise money for the new project. | May I sit here? |
| Can you bring your textbook to our study group meeting? | The patient’s health deteriorated quickly during the night. |
| Harshit gave the gift to his sister. | Sheela voted in the local election. |
| Aditi borrowed the book from her classmate because she forgot her own at home. | We always eat early at night. |
| The speaker discussed different marketing strategies in the video. | Dogs bite if they are provoked. |
| We always eat breakfast early in the morning | The old man felt weak. |
| She studied the worksheets thoroughly. | The baby is sleeping. |
| Tina played her game very well. | Jatin is playing. |
| He was stung by the bee. | The sun sets. |
These are a few transitive and intransitive verb examples for your reference.
Also Read: Tenses
Do you know what is the best way to understand and remember transitive and intransitive verbs? It is by practicing! Below is a worksheet with answers for your reference.
Exercise 1 – Identify the transitive and intransitive verb
Directions: Go through the transitive and intransitive sentences and identify the verbs.
1. I like all of Taylor Swift's songs.
2. New Delhi is the capital of India.
3. English grammar is interesting.
4. Will built a house for my dog.
5. I ate a sandwich for breakfast.
6. All of them danced at my birthday party.
7. The mosquito bat does not seem to be working.
8. Mangoes are ripe.
9. Garvika bought a phone for her mother.
10. The teapot broke all of a sudden.
Answers
1. I like all of Taylor Swift's songs. – Transitive Verb
2. New Delhi is the capital of India. – Intransitive Verb
3. English Grammar is interesting. – Intransitive Verb
4. Will built a house for my dog. – Transitive Verb
5. I ate a sandwich for breakfast. – Transitive Verb
6. All of them danced at my birthday party. – Intransitive Verb
7. The mosquito bat does not seem to be working. – Intransitive Verb
8. Mangoes are ripe. – Intransitive Verb
9. Garvika bought a phone for her mother. – Transitive Verb
10. The teapot broke all of a sudden. – Intransitive Verb
Also Read: Adjective
Exercise 2 – Fill in the blanks with transitive and intransitive verbs
Read through the following sentences and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate transitive or intransitive verb from the list given below.
1. We ________ chapati and kurma for dinner.
2. I ________ the answer to that question.
3. The teacher ________ Riyana, the class leader.
4. When I came back from Ethiopia, I ________ some keepsakes for my friends and family.
5. They ________ doubts about it.
6. It ________ great.
7. Today ________ Monday.
8. These books ________ interesting.
9. The little girl ________ excited to see the number of gifts she had received on her birthday.
10. I ________ exhausted.
Answers
1. We had chapati and kurma for dinner.
2. I know the answer to that question.
3. The teacher made Riyana the class leader.
4. When I came back from Ethiopia, I brought some keepsakes for my friends and family.
5. They have doubts about it.
6. It looks great.
7. Today is Monday.
8. These books are interesting.
9. The little girl was excited to see the number of gifts she had received on her birthday.
10. I feel exhausted.
To wrap up, knowing about transitive and intransitive verbs helps you to write more clearly. Learning about these verbs is considered fundamental and essential in the English language. Thus, every student or individual should learn these as they not only help you build conversations with ease but also write well. The blog covered everything, along with transitive and intransitive verb examples. Besides, several exams and tests require you to learn verbs as a part of the syllabus. For this, you may seek professional help from Gradding.com, as our experts provide excellent coaching in this domain.
1. What Are Transitive Verbs?
A transitive verb is a verb that needs an object (direct or indirect) to receive the action.
For example: Aditya discussed different content strategies in the meeting.
2. What Are Intransitive Verbs?
An intransitive verb is a verb that doesn't need a direct object.
For example: She is sleeping. They are complete even without the object.
3. How to Identify Transitive and Intransitive Verbs?
To identify transitive verbs look for answers of ‘what’ or ‘whom’ after the verb. On the other hand, intransitive verbs do not answer these questions.
4. "I am Tired" Transitive or Intransitive Verb?
The sentence, “I am Tired” is an intransitive verb. "Tired" does not take a direct object and is complete even without the object. Moreover, it does not give answers of ‘what’ or ‘whom’ after the verb. Thus, it is an intransitive verb.
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
