Introduction to Verb Types
Verbs in English can be broadly categorized based on whether they require an object to complete their meaning. This fundamental distinction divides verbs into two main types: transitive and intransitive verbs. Understanding this difference is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences and expressing ideas clearly.
Transitive Verbs
Definition
Transitive verbs are action verbs that require one or more objects to complete their meaning in a sentence. The action of the verb is transferred from the subject to the object.
Characteristics
- Must have a direct object (and sometimes an indirect object)
- The action passes from the doer (subject) to the receiver (object)
- Can be converted to passive voice
- Often answer the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb
Examples
- “She bought a new car.” (direct object: car)
- “He sent his mother flowers.” (direct object: flowers, indirect object: mother)
- “The teacher explained the lesson clearly.” (direct object: lesson)
Common Transitive Verbs
- bring
- give
- send
- take
- make
- buy
- show
- tell
- write
- build
Intransitive Verbs
Definition
Intransitive verbs are action verbs that do not require an object to complete their meaning. The action does not transfer to an object; it stops with the subject.
Characteristics
- Do not take any objects
- Cannot be converted to passive voice
- Often describe actions that are complete in themselves
- May be followed by adverbs or prepositional phrases
Examples
- “The baby cried loudly.” (no object)
- “They arrived early.” (no object)
- “The sun rises in the east.” (prepositional phrase, not an object)
Common Intransitive Verbs
- sleep
- go
- come
- die
- fall
- laugh
- sit
- stand
- swim
- travel
Dual-Nature Verbs
Many English verbs can function as both transitive and intransitive depending on context. These are called ambitransitive verbs.
Examples
- Transitive: “She runs a successful business.” (object: business) Intransitive: “She runs every morning.” (no object)
- Transitive: “He stopped the car.” (object: car) Intransitive: “The car stopped suddenly.” (no object)
- Transitive: “They grow vegetables in their garden.” (object: vegetables) Intransitive: “Children grow quickly.” (no object)
Identifying Verb Types
Test 1: Ask “What?” or “Whom?”
If you can ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb and get a meaningful answer, the verb is transitive.
Example:
- “She ate [what?] an apple.” → transitive
- “He slept [what? whom?] → no answer → intransitive
Test 2: Passive Voice Conversion
If the sentence can be converted to passive voice, the verb is transitive.
Example:
- Active: “The dog chased the cat.” Passive: “The cat was chased by the dog.” → transitive
- Active: “The baby slept.” No passive form possible → intransitive
Common Mistakes and Clarifications
- Prepositional Phrases vs. Objects
- “She looked at the painting.” (“at the painting” is a prepositional phrase, not an object → “look” is intransitive here)
- Compare with: “She saw the painting.” (“painting” is direct object → “see” is transitive)
- Linking Verbs
- Verbs like “be,” “seem,” “appear,” “become” are neither transitive nor intransitive; they’re linking verbs that connect subjects to complements.
- Phrasal Verbs
- Some phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive:
- “He gave up smoking.” (transitive – object: smoking)
- “Don’t give up!” (intransitive – no object)
- Some phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive:
Practical Applications
In Writing
Understanding transitive/intransitive verbs helps:
- Avoid sentence fragments (“She gave” – incomplete without object)
- Create varied sentence structures
- Ensure proper passive voice construction
In ESL Learning
- Helps non-native speakers understand why some sentences sound incomplete
- Clarifies when objects are needed
- Explains passive voice limitations
Advanced Considerations
Ditransitive Verbs
A subset of transitive verbs that take two objects:
- Direct object: the thing being acted upon
- Indirect object: the recipient of the action
Example:
- “She gave [indirect object] me [direct object] a book.”
Complex Transitivity
Some transitive verbs require both a direct object and an object complement:
- “They elected him president.” (object: him, complement: president)
Conclusion
Mastering transitive and intransitive verbs enhances both written and spoken English proficiency. While the distinction may seem subtle at first, recognizing these verb types becomes intuitive with practice. Remember that many verbs can function both ways, so always consider the complete sentence context when analyzing verb usage.