Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Front

What is a transitive verb?

Back

A transitive verb is a verb that requires one or more objects. It expresses an action that is done to someone or something.

Front

What is an intransitive verb?

Back

An intransitive verb is a verb that does not require a direct object to complete its meaning. It expresses an action that does not pass to an object.

Front

Example of a transitive verb in a sentence.

Back

In the sentence 'She kicked the ball,' 'kicked' is a transitive verb because it has a direct object, 'the ball.'

Front

Example of an intransitive verb in a sentence.

Back

In the sentence 'He sleeps,' 'sleeps' is an intransitive verb because it does not have a direct object.

Front

What is a direct object?

Back

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb.

Front

Identify the direct object in the sentence: 'The cat chased the mouse.'

Back

The direct object is 'the mouse.'

Front

Identify the direct object in the sentence: 'She read a book.'

Back

The direct object is 'a book.'

Front

Identify the direct object in the sentence: 'He runs every morning.'

Back

There is no direct object in this sentence.

Front

How can you tell if a verb is transitive?

Back

A verb is transitive if you can ask 'what?' or 'whom?' after the verb and get a direct object as an answer.

Front

How can you tell if a verb is intransitive?

Back

A verb is intransitive if it does not have a direct object and does not answer 'what?' or 'whom?' after the verb.