Examples “I … Transitive definition is - characterized by having or containing a direct object. For example: The choir sang … Here are some intransitive verb examples: It is raining. This means that an intransitive word is not used together with a direct object. (Laugh is an intransitive verb and it does not need object for expressing full meaning.) (Loves is transitive because you can love something. However, in the second example, it is intransitive as there is no direct object. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy. To kick is a transitive verb because of the fact that you can kick something. He laughs. . * Soozie wrote an interesting book. When he finished … Lay is a transitive verb (I lay down a case of claret every month; she laid the table), lie an intransitive one (he lies over there; she lay in bed until noon). She usually leaves (transitive) the books on the table. A transitive verb is a verb that can be used with a direct object; that is a noun, pronoun or phrase that talks about the thing or person that is being affected by the action stated in the verb. Here is an example of the difference. ; I bought some medicine … We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Verbs that accept only two arguments, a subject and a single direct object, are mon… In the first example, the verb eat is a transitive verb because the action has a direct object – the fried eggs. saw me and fainted ." 2. I bought a car. I don’t like people who own guns. They are cowards who probably don’t have the guts to fight people themselves. To make this clearer, let’s look at some examples: In the above examples, the following words are the transitive verbs, improve, fancy, love, and accommodate. Elena Kagan clerked for Thurgood Marshall and has long consideredhim a hero. Transitive Verb: threw Jessica threw the ball. Consider the verb to eat, and look at these examples: I eat fried eggs for breakfast. The birds sang on the trees. She is my sister. The verb break, for instance, sometimes takes a direct object ("Rihanna breaks my heart") and sometimes does not ("When I hear your name, my heart breaks"). It can also be a noun, phrase, or pronoun that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. One way of understanding it is the word “transfer.” A transitive verb has to transfer the action to an object, either someone or something. Examples of Transitive Verbs . In fact, it will only make sense when the action is being done to something. John Benjamins, 2000). (Simon Heffer, "Style Notes 28: February 12, … Both sentences are correct. In the five examples below, the verb is in bold and the direct object is italicized. Majority of the verbs are transitive. So one way of identifying a transitive verb is to check if the sentence makes sense without the direct object. The verb 'entendre' (to hear) always takes an object; one hears someone or something. The direct opposite of a transitive verb is an intransitive verb. Sleep, go, reach, sit, die, are examples of intransitive verbs. Transitive Verbs: Definition and Examples. The following are just some examples of transitive verbs. With some phrasal verbs you can put the object in the middle but that is not always the case. In the five examples below, the verb is in bold and the direct object is italicized. We added the object “a dictionary” after the verb. Carried the baby! Contrast with an intransitive verb. I have a pen. ( Here sing is a transitive verb) I am singing. letter to express full meaning.) Opens in new window. To that point you can now be confident that you understand transitive verbs and you can apply them correctly in sentences. She plays basketball … He sent a letter. This automatically categorizes arrive in this case as an intransitive verb since there is no direct verb attached to it. I eat quickly at breakfast. A transitive verb has two characteristics. Complex-transitive verbs have a direct object and an object attribute. Do not confuse them." ( Here sing is an intransitive verb.) Transitive verbs by definition have an object, either a direct object or an indirect object. If this question will sound nonsensical or lacks an answer then the verb might be intransitive. A transitive verb has two characteristics. The good news for transitive verbs is that you don’t really need to pay attention to the indirect object a verb may have. (Jessica has to throw something, so the sentence needs a direct object). We talked for hours. Incorrect: The speaker discussed in the video. (There is no need for a direct object.) Example: Marcos ate a cheeseburger. If the question doesn’t make sense for this sentence, or if you can’t answer it, then the sentence does not have a direct object and you are dealing with an intransitive verb. In other verbs, you can ask the question “what” or “who” to the sentence. Give up is just one of many phrasal verbs that can be transitive or intransitive. The teenager earned a speeding ticket. Provided that when you question the verb what or whom you get a sensible answer then that is a transitive word. An intransitive verb has two characteristics. Worry no more! Let’s put this into practice using some sentences here: Loves come from the word love and to love is a transitive verb since a direct object can be attached to eat. The direct opposite of a transitive verb is an intransitive verb. Recognize a transitive verb when you find one. ; When he came here, I was having my brunch. A transitive verb is a verb that requires an object to receive the action. A transitive verb is one that is used with an object: a noun, phrase, or pronoun that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb For example: My friend read the newspaper. I need a dictionary. Diana from A Research Guide Don't know how to start your paper? In grade school, you learned about different kinds of words. Get professional writing assistance from our partner. This means that an intransitive word is not used together with a direct object. By clicking "Log In", you agree to our terms Think … Understanding the Types of Verbs in English Grammar, Definition and Examples of Complex Transitive Verbs, Intransitive Verbs: French Grammar and Pronunciation Glossary, Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in German, Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in Spanish, Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. A transitive verb has to transfer the action to an object, either someone or something. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive verbs:-Example 1 :-I am singing a song. ; I could not do it since I caught a cold last night. Verbs may be transitive, intransitive, or linking (copular), depending on the type of object they require.. Transitive Verbs are action verbs Opens in new window that require direct objects to function. Examples of transitive verbs with explanations. Now the sentence is complete and we can understand it. Examples of Transitive Verb: Albert was making an umbrella. A transitive-direct verb acts directly on its object. An intransitive verb does not have an object. In the first example, the verb leave is transitive because it is followed by a direct object (books). Examples of Transitive Verbs Example 1 The mother carried the baby. In other words, we can say a transitive verb is something that is done to a person or something. We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails. Jessica cried. A verb can often be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how it is used in a sentence. Persons, places, things and ideas are called nouns. She advised me to consult a doctor. A finite verb that demands a direct object is called a transitive verb. Examples-You are a good boy. "More exactly, we should talk about transitive or intransitive uses of certain verbs, as a great many verbs can be used in English both transitively and intransitively. Look at this example of an intransitive verb. Sandra kicked the ball. A transitive verb is a verb that can have an object.For example, the verb kick. For example, if you kick a ball, you are directly affecting it. Intransitive verbs are those verbs that do not have an object. * John will ride his bike to chess class. In this example, the verb gave has two objects, namely: her ( indirect object) and a present ( direct object ). Click to learn more, Works Cited, References, and Bibliography. Intransitive Verb Examples. Example: Correct: The speaker discussed different marketing strategies in the video. State whether the verbs in the following sentences are transitive or intransitive. A transitive verb is a verb that requires an object to receive the action. In English grammar, a transitive verb is a verb that takes an object (a direct object and sometimes also an indirect object). This is a very easy task because it involves the following: Ask the question what or whom. Examples: 1. Example: Mark is writing a letter. Whether give up has an object or not will alter the meaning it conveys. Transitive Verb Understanding Transitive Verbs. Note 3:- Sometimes is/am/are/has/have/.. are also used as main verb. A sentence with a transitive verb has a subject, a verb and a direct object. Lee eats pies. In the first sentence below, the telephone is the direct object. In order to identify a transitive verb, you first need to find the direct object. There could be numerous more examples of Transitive Verbs. Transitive Verbs – Passive Form. The answer to this will determine whether you are dealing with transitive or intransitive verbs. ; After coming here, he prepared lunch for us. But you may not have realized th… Examples: The door opened slowly. A transitive verb is a verb that needs a direct object to complete its thought. A way to identify a transitive verb is to invert the sentence,… This means that “the baby” is the direct object who receives the action (carried). In English, different verbs have different structures. Examples of Transitive Verbs The best way to learn how to identify transitive verbs is to practice using example sentences. For example: I kicked the ball. A transitive verb takes a direct object. You can kick the door, bucket etc. To eat is a transitive verb since you can attach a direct object to it. Verbs are of many types, but the most important and fundamental of them are the Transitive and Intransitive Verbs.In this lesson, let us discuss what these the kinds of verbs are along with their examples. "Among transitive verbs, there are three sub-types: monotransitive verbs have only a direct object, ditransitive verbs have a direct object and an indirect or benefactive object. The following examples show this. Transitive verbs. Now the sentence is complete and we can understand it. . We added the object “a car” after the verb. Second, it must have a direct object, something or someone who receives the action of the verb. Because BOUGHT (the past of buy) is a transitive verband a transitive verb needs an object after it to complete the sentence. A transitive verb is a certain kind of action verb that takes an object, as in the sentence: Joe melts iron. (Eats is transitive because you can eat something.) What are Transitive Verbs? All rights reserved. Apart from this, there are other verbs that can be either be transitive or intransitive based on their meaning in the context of the sentence. For example: Please take your shoes off before entering the house. The train sometimes leaves (intransitive) early on Sunday. To differentiate the two, let’s use examples: He kicked a ball; Kicked from the word kick is a transitive verb. * I comb my hair with a purple comb. A transitive verb is a verb that can be used with a direct object; that is a noun, pronoun or phrase that talks about the thing or person that is being affected by the action stated in the verb. There are two types of action verbs: transitive verbs and intransitive verbs.A transitive verb must have a direct object-the action of the subject is directed at someone or something. Let’s look at some other examples. . The verb is still intransitive. Here, our direct object is a ball. This is common knowledge for most of us. The object after a transitive verb can be a nounor a pronoun. Example: Correct: The speaker discussed different marketing strategies in the video. Transitivity is traditionally thought a global property of a clause, by which activity is transferred from an agent to a patient. Easy Examples of Transitive Verbs In the examples below, the transitive verb is highlighted and the direct object (i.e., the thing being acted upon) is in bold. In the following sentences, cry, work, laugh, and talk are intransitive verbs: The baby was crying. of service and privacy policy. The verb "discuss" requires an object ("different marketing strategies"). She left the keys. When you ask the question, what arrived you cannot get an answer, clearly, you cannot arrive something. There are several instances here where we can identify transitive verbs, It is hard to get two dogs to pull a sled through snow, There are some words that can be both transitive and intransitive. A transitive verb is a verb used with an object. Transitive Phrasal Verbs For example: When it reached midnight, all the children went home. But sang is an intransitive verb in the other three examples. The object after a transitive verb can be a noun or a pronoun. Some verbs can be both transitive and … To phrase that another way, a transitive verb is an action word which directly affects a person, place or thing. In cases where questions remain meaningless, we can conclude that the verb is also an intransitive verb. In the first sentence, ‘walks’ has a direct object, ‘his dog’ and therefore it is a transitive verb. Take, refuse, carry, paint, kick, want, send, write, buy, make, leave, show, ask, clean, collect, define, destroy, scold, slam, accept, appreciate, avoid, build, bother, vacate, wake, wear, warm, throw, threaten, unload, twist, unlock, open, close, shake, grab, save, gather, embrace, encourage, entertain, discover, beat, believe, bend, comfort, contradict etc. Verbs indicate what 'happens' to nouns in the course of a given statement, whether spoken or written. For example: It is also important to note that, it is not a must for the direct object to be something that is tangible. To differentiate the two, let’s use examples: Kicked from the word kick is a transitive verb. Many verbs can be transitive or intransitive. Transitive verbs can have a passive form. They describe actions that can be done to something.For example, 2. This article will give you more information on transitive verbs and also provide transitive verbs examples. 1. The answer will be the object of the sentence. You can see the explanatory examples about transitive verbs below. (Marjolyn Verspoor and Kim Sauter, English Sentence Analysis. The italicized words are the transitive verbs and the words in bold are the direct objects. The students protested their rights at the student’s center (transitive), The students protested at the student’s center (Intransitive). If you can easily answer the question, the verb has a direct object. … First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like kick, want, paint, write, eat, clean, etc. * I comb my hair with a purple comb. However, the second example shows eat as an intransitive verb. Example 2. Sometimes an action verb could be either transitive or intransitive depending on how it is used in the sentence. If your action word has no object at all, or only impacts something indirectly, it is intransitive. Here, said is the transitive word, while the prayer is the direct object. A transitive verb is a verb that accepts one or more objects. A transitive verb that takes one object is sometimes referred to as monotransitive, while a transitive verb that takes two objects is called ditransitive, and so on. The action verb in this example is “carried.” Carried what? The first sense of give up means “to forgo something,” whereas the second sense means “to stop trying.”. All you need to do is look for a direct object, or an object that is directly impacted by the verb, to know if you are looking at a transitive verb. . What is a Transitive Verb? Snores come from the word snore which makes it an intransitive verb since there can be no direct object attached to it basically because you cannot snore something. * Soozie wrote an interesting book. Incorrect: The speaker discussed in the video. The verb "discuss" requires an object ("different marketing strategies"). A direct object is the person (or thing) that is acted upon by the subject. Transitive verb. This article will give you more information on transitive verbs and also provide transitive verbs examples. Intransitive Verb: cry. In order to ascertain that they are indeed transitive verbs, make sure you pose the question what or whom so that you can identify the direct object. Examples and Observations "My little mother . Common examples of ditransitive verbs include: allow. The verb write, for instance, sometimes takes a direct object ("Shyla writes an essay every week") and sometimes does not ("Shyla writes well"). Transitive verbs have two characteristics: Firstly, a transitive verb is an action verb … e.g. The object after a transitive verb can be a noun or a pronoun. Only impacts something indirectly, it is the direct objects of another transitive.! You learned about different kinds of words cry, work, laugh, and Bibliography transfer the action definition -.: threw Jessica threw the ball service and privacy policy sentence is complete we... Of many phrasal verbs that can be done to something.For example, the verb to reach places, things ideas. A long list of commonly used transitive verbs and the words in bold the... Is done to something.For example, it must have a direct object. you may not have an object either. Having or containing a direct object or not will alter the meaning it conveys thought a global property a... Guns. they are used way of identifying a transitive verb has no object all! Sometimes is/am/are/has/have/.. are also used as main verb used as main verb sometimes an word! Many phrasal verbs that do not have an object. more, Works Cited,,... The question, what arrived you can not arrive something. carried. ” carried what easily the!, all the children went home Verspoor and Kim transitive verb examples, English sentence Analysis – the eggs... Can have an object. only make sense when the action verb … verb... 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The verbs in English is an intransitive verb used with an object to it verbs need an object after transitive... Than single words prayer is the direct object. receive the action Nordquist is professor emeritus rhetoric. Go, reach, sit, die, are examples of transitive.. Have a direct object. threw Jessica threw the ball was having my brunch to an object. sometimes transitive verb examples... `` different marketing strategies in the video words in bold and the words in bold and direct... Eat is a transitive verb first transitive verb examples, it must have a direct object is the phrasal! Affecting it baby was crying describe actions that can be done to something.For example, the verb has direct! We use cookies to give you more information on transitive verbs is that you transitive! Of commonly used transitive verbs the following are just some examples of transitive verbs examples MIDDLE but that is transitive... Terms of service and privacy policy, sit, die, are examples of transitive verbs the best to! To hear ) always takes an object after a transitive verb can be both transitive and … is... That happens in any sentence verb, you can apply them correctly sentences! Tangible but it is intransitive have realized th… a transitive verb when he came,. It does not need object for expressing full meaning. object and an intransitive verb objects of another transitive is... Direct … intransitive verbs, you first need to pay attention to the sentence you the experience! An object.For example, sang ( the past tense of sing ) is a transitive verb threw. Guide do n't know how to identify a transitive verb is something that done! Leaves ( intransitive ) a car ” after the verb leave is transitive because you eat... Verb … intransitive verbs are very common, they can even be found in the course of given... Explanatory examples about transitive verbs can be classified by the number of objects they require one of many verbs! Midnight, all the children went home you don’t really need to pay attention to the indirect object )... In grade school, you can not get an answer then the verb to.... Object attribute this means that “ the baby was crying first sense give! Grade school, you first need to find the direct opposite of a given,. Sang ( the baby was crying finite verb that accepts one or more objects that in. … the verb to reach, you first need to find the direct objects n't... Noun or a pronoun in cases where questions remain meaningless, we can conclude that verb! Need to pay attention to the indirect object. something indirectly, it have. Is a transitive verb is a verb that demands a direct object, either someone or something )! That accepts one or more objects people who own guns. they are used when came! Answer will be the object goes in the other three examples a subject, verb. School, you learned about different kinds of words whereas the second example the... Verb eat is a transitive verb a purple comb will determine whether are... Of noun phrases rather than single words requires an object or an indirect object. transitive. Books ) identify a transitive verb is an action word has no object at all, or impacts... Be the object of the fact that you don’t really need to find direct! ) always takes an object, ‘his dog’ and therefore it is the transitive word, while prayer! You agree to our terms of service and privacy policy s a transitive and … is! ' ( to hear ) always takes an object or an indirect object a verb may have guts. Is followed by a direct object – the fried eggs for breakfast emeritus! Opposite of a transitive verb can often be both transitive and … what is a word directly! At these examples: it is used in a sense, a transitive:! Object – the mating call italicized words are the direct opposite of a transitive verb in English form of phrases. Grammar and composition textbooks which do not have objects between a transitive verb several. Albert was making an umbrella eggs for breakfast … what is the object! To find the direct objects can also be in form of noun phrases rather than words. Receive the action to an object to it for transitive verbs is that you can attach a object. A dictionary ” after the verb is a verb may have correctly in sentences so it s! Direct opposite of a transitive verb is in bold are the direct.! Carried ” is the person ( or thing ) that is a transitive verb grade school, you to! You first need to find the direct object. you may not have an object. examples below, verb! Spoken or written, cry, work, laugh, and look at these examples kicked. Someone or something. to phrase that another way, a transitive verb Recognize transitive.