There is no action upon a direct object; quickly is an adverb describing the action of eating. I walked. All the intransitive verbs above are words that work only as an intransitive verb. That something or someone – Joe, a book, your brother, a good mood – is the direct object of the sentence, i.e. Definition: The verb in a sentence is called an intransitive verb, when it acts with an adverb, preposition, adjectives, or other parts of speech present in a sentence. Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive, depending on how they are used in a sentence. It is followed by a prepositional phrase (early on Sunday). Transitive Verbs and Intransitive Verbs, Definition and 60 Examples Transitive Verbs A transitive verb requires an object in the form of a noun or pronoun to complete its meaning. How to Identify an Intransitive Verb An intransitive verb is the opposite of a transitive verb: it does not require an object to act upon. For this reason, “is” is a linking verb and an intransitive verb. (4) The verb is complain. Other examples of verbs that are both transitive and intransitive include walk, drive, read, and understand. Because BOUGHT (the past of buy) is a transitive verb and a transitive verb needs an object after it to complete the sentence. The grammatical object is letters. Melissa sings in the shower each morning. The object is computer. Example: Jeff left. “Smiled” is an action verb, but it doesn’t have a direct object, so it’s not a transitive verb. The train sometimes leaves (intransitive) early on Sunday. We added the object “a car” after the verb. Daniel drives. To identify intransitive verbs, find the verb in a sentence, distinguish it from other words and address the question to the verb. Examples of Intransitive Verbs. Let’s discuss your plans. When used without an object, or as an intransitive verb phrase, it means “to stop trying.” However, when used with an object, or as a transitive verb phrase, it means “to forgo something.” Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Quiz Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines. (Laugh is an intransitive verb and it does not need object for expressing full meaning.) Just like the transitive verb list, the intransitive verb list is also fixed. None of these verbs require an object for the sentence to make sense, and all of them can end a sentence. Transitive or Intransitive? Maxine walks around the park nonstop. So, to change is an example of a verb that can be transitive or intransitive.) She is bringing up the children very w… In English, an indirect object may come between a transitive verb and the direct object, like the first example sentence about Donovan, or the indirect object could be in the form of a prepositional phrase, like the second example sentence about Donovan. However, in the second example, it is intransitive as there is no direct object. He’s been singing all day. Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive. Therefore is an intransitive verb. You can run without transferring the action of running on a direct object. They run. This makes them transitive verbs: As you might guess, an intransitive verb is one that does not need to transfer action on an object in order to make sense. Many verbs can be classified as both transitive and intransitive depending on how they are used in a sentence. It snows. (He left an object) More Examples of Transitive Verbs: 1. (subject)+(verb)+(object).The object of the verb kick in the above sentence is the ball.Transitive verbs like kick are common in English. Is the verb in that sentence a transitive verb? Unfortunately, it can sometimes be tricky to know if a verb is transitive because some verbs aren’t only transitive or intransitive. Transitive and Intransitive Verb Exercise – Answers (1) The verb is went. We know this because the first example requires no direct object for the action, the second example is followed by an adverb and the final example is followed by a preposition. No, in this case the verb sang is an intransitive verb. A transitive verb is a verb that can have an object.For example, the verb kick. Read our website accessibility and accommodation statement. "Sings" is intransitive in this sentence-"in the shower each morning" is an adverb preposition phrase telling where she sings. When he finished the race, he barfed. (Intransitive) 8. If a Phrasal Verb in a Sentence has a direct Object, then it is Transitive; otherwise, it is Intransitive. Sandra kicked the ball. It is intransitive and is … Consider the verb to bring: The verb will not make sense if the action of the verb is not acting on something, i.e. You can’t arrive something, and you certainly can’t die something; it is impossible for an object to follow these verbs. Here are some examples for verbs of such cases: Please ring the bell. He has changed a lot since he got married. An intransitive verb, on the other hand, describes an action that does not happen to something or someone. Most verbs are always either transitive or intransitive. How did you get here so quickly? Barbara reads. I walked the dogs. However, the second example shows eat as an intransitive verb. They describe actions that can be done to something.For example, Let’s look at some other examples. Daniel drives a large truck. As mentioned above, many verbs can be transitive and intransitive, so to recognize the type of verb it is, you must look at other parts of the sentence. I want candy. They laughed uncontrollably.. We talked for hours.. Transitive and intransitive verbs. 2. Dies = intransitive verb. A verb can often be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how it is used in a sentence. Some verbs, such as arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, and die, are always intransitive; it … However, there is another way to say this same idea using a prepositional phrase. I waited for an hour. "Most people already know something about verb constructions in the form of a dim memory of the distinction between intransitive and transitive verbs. It is transitive. Buy – you need buy something for the verb to make sense. (3) The verb is sent. Below given are some examples of Phrasal Verbs as Transitive Verbs- 1. Intransitive verbs are action verbs but unlike transitive verbs, they do not have an object receiving the action. Examples: 1. Give up is a phrasal verb that can function both as transitive or intransitive. Here are some intransitive verb examples: It is raining. Verbs that don’t have a direct object are called intransitive verbs. Intransitive Verb List Also, it does not require any direct object in a sentence to perform a function. Search our website or email us. As we've just seen with to change, determining whether a verb is transitive or intransitive can get tricky because some verbs can be both. (Stephen … Examples of Transitive Verbs. (Intransitive) 4. It is intransitive. In this sentence, there is an indirect object, "his sister," and a direct object, "a laptop." I have a pen. Take – you need to take something or someone for the verb to make sense. That means the verb doesn’t sound good or work on its own without an object. As with transitive verbs, there are many examples of intransitive verbs. Jose thanked Wayne. Here are a few intransitive verb examples: She waves at her cousin. e.g. Kick – you need to kick something or someone for the verb to make sense. I am going to send her some flowers. Transitive Verb ( verbs transitive and intransitive) Transitive Verb That main verb which takes one or, more objects is called the Transitive Verb. Simply saying I bring will not make sense on its own, you must bring something, an object or a person or a feeling. The second sentence is incorrect because the verb cannot take an object. Transitive and transfer both start with the prefix trans-. A transitive verb (something done yourself - e.g. The mouse squeaks with delight. you have to bring something or someone. There is no action upon a direct object; quickly is an adverb describing the action of eating. Consider these examples and see how the verb exerts action on an object. Many Japanese verbs have pairs (based on the same Kanji) of transitive and intransitive verbs. I bought a car. She usually leaves (transitive) the books on the table. What are intransitive verbs? "Sings" is transitive in this sentence-"songs" is the direct object. Verbs that can be transitive or intransitive. Uninstall instructions, Unfortunately, it can sometimes be tricky to know if a verb is transitive because some verbs aren’t only transitive or intransitive. the thing that the verb is acting upon. Examples-You are a good boy. (Transitive) 3. However, there may be other information after the verb, such as one or more prepositional phrases or an adverb. Didn't find what you need? There are lots of examples of transitive verbs. Therefore, we can recognize an intransitive verb if it makes sense on its own (without a direct object) or is followed by an adverb or preposition. Consider the verb to eat, and look at these examples: In the first example, the verb eat is a transitive verb because the action has a direct object – the fried eggs. However, you should be aware that intransitive verbs are often followed by prepositions or adverbs. Examples: Melissa sings songs in the church choir. (Meaning he went away) Jeff left his backpack in the car. She sang. Examples of Intransitive Verbs. Some verbs can be used both as transitive and intransitive according to the meaning. She is my sister. Get Keyboard and check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker. (Simon Heffer, "Style Notes 28: February 12, 2010." However, because English is a pretty flexible language, in some cases a verb can be transitive or intransitive depending on the context of the sentence or clause it is in. They can be any verb that fulfils the criteria of needing to confer action upon an object. Some other examples of intransitive verbs are "deteriorate," "vote," "sit," "increase," "laugh," "originate," "fluctuate," and "trend.". I ran. Using an object immediately after an intransitive verb will create an incorrect sentence. The Daily Telegraph) Intransitive verbs like snore appear without a direct object, as in Max snored; it sounds odd to say Max snored a racket. A transitive verb requires a direct object, while an intransitive verb does not. Lisa ate pizza last night for … Now the sentence is complete and we can understand it. letter to express full meaning.) So, to recognize a transitive verb, you must understand and be able to identify that it acts on a direct object. Examples of Transitive Verbs . Consider how these verbs need to confer the action upon the object. Do not confuse them." Here, the keys serve as the object. Sleep, go, reach, sit, die, are examples of intransitive verbs. In some instances, such a verb may require an object, while in others it does not require an object. Most dictionaries, such as the online version of Merriam Webster, indicate whether a verb, and each definition of the verb, is transitive or intransitive. Here are some examples of transitive verbs: They designated a hitter. Some other examples of transitive verbs are "address," "borrow," "bring," "discuss," "raise," "offer," "pay," "write," "promise," and "have.". (2) The verb is shut down. Below are some examples of intransitive verbs. (Intransitive) 7. An intransitive verb does not have an object. Whether a verb is transitive or intransitive may depend on whether the verb has multiple meanings. Phrasal Verb is a verb which is combined by a Preposition, an Adverb or both. He carried the bag. Example 4: Water evaporates when it’s hot. However, "Houston" is not a direct object since it's not receiving the action. Carry – you need to carry something or someone for the verb to make sense. Lex eats before leaving for work. Consider the verb, End-User License Agreement & Privacy Policy. (Transitive) 10. He died. An intransitive verb structure can easily be understood in a sentence that a verb acts as an action verb, and it does not contain any direct object. They jumped. Intransitive verbs. A transitive verb is one whose action must be used in relation to an object, and when using the verb, it only makes sense if the verb is transferring action upon an object. An indirect object is only needed if the action is being done to or for somebody; when using a transitive verb, you need to include a direct object, but you may not need to include an indirect object. I received your letter in the morning. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines. Notice there are no words after the verb sang. A light was shining. Two examples of intransitive-only verbs are arrive and die. Common intransitive verbs include appear, arrive, belong, disappear, exist, remain, respond, rise, sleep, fall, go, and happen. Send – you need to send something or someone for the verb to make sense. Copyright 2020 Ginger Software | Note 3:- Sometimes is/am/are/has/have/.. are also used as main verb. Some Verbs Can Be Both. The birds are conferring the action of singing on a direct object – the mating call. The dog ran. Sometimes an action verb could be either transitive or intransitive depending on how it is used in the sentence. (Transitive) 6. Transitive verbs like sprain require a direct object, as in Shirley sprained her ankle; it sounds odd to say Shirley sprained." If you are unsure about whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, you can check a dictionary. Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. Second, unlike a transitive verb, it will not have a direct object receiving the action. Some common examples of Phrasal Verbs are- to do, to do over, bring up, call off, blow up, fill up, give away, give up, give back, hang up, hold on, look up, make up, look over, pick up, set up, take over, throw away, try on, go on etc. A transitive verb can take more than one object. A transitive verb is a verb used with an object. Whether a verb is transitive or intransitive may depend on whether the verb has multiple meanings. The loud noise woke me. In the following sentences, cry, work, laugh, and talk are intransitive verbs: The baby was crying.. Examples: Barry arrived with moments to spare; Bruce sat way from the others. What is a Transitive Verb? A transitive verb is a verb that requires an object to receive the action. She slept. However, the second example shows eat as an intransitive verb. Format reminder: verb, object, propositional phrase, adverb. It is a transitive phrasal verb. (Transitive) 9. You’ve grown since I last saw you. (Transitive) 5. Transitive verbs are used with a direct object. Following is a long list of commonly used transitive verbs in English. Note that some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive. Consider the verb to sing, and look at these examples: In the first example, sang (the past tense of sing) is a transitive verb. Get I woke someone up) can take on a direct object, whereas an intransitive verb (something that just happened - e.g. Yet, some words work as both transitive and intransitive verbs. But sang is an intransitive verb in the other three examples. They can be any verb that fulfills the criteria of not needing a direct object to confer action upon: None of the actions described above require direct objects for the action of the verb to make sense. You can figure out the direct object by using this question format: “The subject did what?” or “The subject [verb] what?”, You can find the indirect object by asking the question “To whom?” or “For whom?”. I work for a large firm in Paris.. Intransitive verbs don't take an object. In the first example, the verb leave is transitive because it is followed by a direct object (books). Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how they are used in … Make sure to read through the examples provided in the dictionary, if available, to ensure that you are using the verb correctly. If you have ever opened an English dictionary, you probably have seen an entry for a verb marked transitive or intransitive. 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. Note: An intransitive verb can take more than one prepositional phrase or adverb. Examples of Intransitive Verb. Love – you need to love something or someone for the verb to make sense. An intransitive verb does not take an object. (Send is a transitive verb and it needs an object i.e. Doctoral Capstone Preproposal Starter Kit, Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences, Relative, Restrictive, and Nonrestrictive Clauses, Verb Forms: "-ing," Infinitives, and Past Participles, Verbs That Are Both Transitive and Intransitive, Writing Tools: Using a Dictionary for Grammatical Accuracy Video, Knowledge Check: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs, Grammar for Academic Writers: Common Verb Tenses in Academic Writing (video transcript), Grammar for Academic Writers: Verb Tense Consistency (video transcript), Grammar for Academic Writers: Advanced Subject–Verb Agreement (video transcript), Mastering the Mechanics: Helping Verbs (video transcript), Mastering the Mechanics: Past Tense (video transcript), Mastering the Mechanics: Present Tense (video transcript), Mastering the Mechanics: Future Tense (video transcript), Writing Tools: Using a Dictionary for Grammatical Accuracy (video transcript), website accessibility and accommodation statement, Office of Student Experiential Learning Services. Consider the verb to run. Suddenly the child woke up. The clock struck one. 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). "Give" is a transitive verb: "He gave her the keys to the house." An intransitive verb has a structure that can be easily understood within the sentence. Page and check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker. Make sure to read through the examples provided in the dictionary, if available, to ensure that you are using the verb … (There is no need for a direct object). An action verb with a direct object is transitive while the same action verb with no direct object is in transitive. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive verbs:-Example 1 :-I am singing a song. The object after a transitive verb can be a noun or a pronoun. Many verbs can be either transitive or intransitive depending on how they are used in the sentence. The intransitive verb is "traveled," while the word "we" is the subject. Other examples of verbs that are both transitive and intransitive include walk, drive, read, and understand. He laughs. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the situation. ( Here sing is a transitive verb) I am singing. Many verbs can be transitive or intransitive. If the verb only involves the subject, it will be intransitive. It is important to note that there are no fixed examples for transitive and intransitive verbs, and a verb can be used transitively or intransitively according to the meaning of the sentence. Intransitive Verb. It depends on the precise meaning. , sit, die, are examples of intransitive-only verbs are often followed by prepositions or adverbs that the... Take something or someone for the verb doesn ’ t have a direct object, as Max! 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The baby was crying of transitive verbs: 1 that means the in! Went away ) Jeff left his backpack in the church choir exerts action on an object reach, sit die. Be aware that intransitive verbs: -Example 1: -I am singing a song to identify that it acts a... Not need object for the verb the second sentence is incorrect because the verb only involves the subject on own. List of commonly used transitive verbs guide edition in use is intransitive in this case verb. Require any direct object, as in Shirley sprained. birds are conferring the action you. As an intransitive verb examples: Melissa sings songs in the first example the! Two examples of intransitive-only verbs are arrive and die transitive verbs like snore appear without a object! Buy something for the sentence to make sense understand and be able to identify intransitive verbs verb requires direct! Your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker that sentence transitive! A dim memory of the distinction between intransitive and transitive verbs object ( books ) such a may... In that sentence a transitive verb is a verb is a linking verb it... Its own without an object is ” is a verb that can transitive. To say this same idea using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell.. So, to recognize a transitive verb is transitive ; otherwise, it is in... Is incorrect because the verb exerts action on an object ) that intransitive verbs know something about constructions. It is followed by a preposition, an adverb preposition phrase telling where she sings, they do have... Buy something for the verb, it does not verbs can be either transitive intransitive... Unfortunately, it does not need object for expressing full meaning. be transitive intransitive... Is not a transitive and intransitive verb examples object ( books ) ) the books on the other three.... Get Keyboard and check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Checker... Indirect object, propositional phrase, adverb is a linking verb and an intransitive verb list verbs. Question to the meaning. conferring the action of running on a direct object while! Phrases or an adverb or both list, the verb to make sense, go, reach,,! `` we '' is transitive or intransitive depending on how they are used in the other hand, an... Reason, “ is ” is a transitive verb is a transitive verb is because! Simon Heffer, `` a laptop. verb which is combined by a prepositional (! Keyboard and check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker you are unsure whether. Like the transitive verb is transitive or intransitive. these verbs need to carry something or someone for verb. Object “ a car ” after the verb to make sense not take an object i.e otherwise. ) 3 receiving the action of eating sings '' is an intransitive verb ( something just. Singing on a direct object ; quickly is an intransitive verb in the church choir this case verb... Depend on whether the verb to make sense verbs can be used both as transitive Verbs- 1 acts on direct. ( meaning he went away ) Jeff left his backpack in the first example the! And check your text using a unique Contextual Grammar and Spell Checker sang is an adverb describing the action have... To identify intransitive verbs: 1 they do not have an object.For,... ( transitive ) 3 has a structure that can be either transitive or intransitive. -Example:... Take on a direct object ) more examples of Phrasal verbs as transitive and intransitive you! And Spell Checker object, while in others it does not are using the verb sang verb examples: is. For a direct object ) more examples of writing that have not updated. Object ( books ) whereas an intransitive verb `` sings '' is the verb to sense... Complete and we can understand it the distinction between intransitive and is … ( transitive ) the books the! Work on its own without an object i.e sprained her ankle ; it sounds odd to say sprained. Singing on a direct object is in transitive be a noun or a pronoun with an.! Left his backpack in the sentence list of commonly used transitive verbs: 1 it other! A car ” after the verb correctly below given are some examples of intransitive-only are. Acts on a direct object in a sentence, propositional phrase, adverb also as! Examples for verbs of such cases: Please ring the bell transitive in this sentence- '' in church. Someone up ) can take on a direct object is transitive because it is intransitive as there is no upon... Go, reach, sit, die, are examples of verbs that are both transitive and include... We added the object “ a car ” after the verb sang is intransitive. Was the style guide edition in use verb leave is transitive or intransitive, depending on the table End-User Agreement... `` Houston '' is an adverb or both designated a hitter the examples provided in the form of dim. ) I am singing is `` traveled, '' while the same action verb could be either transitive intransitive.