Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive Verbs

A transitive verb, used with a direct object, transmits action to an object and may also have an indirect object, which indicates to or for whom the action is done.

In other words, a transitive verb is a verb that transmits action to an object.

Examples…

He sent the letter. (letter = direct object of sent)

She gave the lecture. (lecture = direct object of gave)

**In these sentences, something is being done to an object.

More on Transitive Verbs…

A transitive verb can also have an indirect object that precedes, or comes before, the direct object.

The indirect object tells to or for whom the action is done, although the words to and for are not used.

Examples…

He sent Robert the letter.-The direct object (letter) receives the action

(sent). The indirect object (Robert) is the person to whom the letter is sent.

She gave her class the lecture.-The direct object (lecture) receives the

action (gave). The indirect object (class) is the group to whom the lecture is given.

Intransitive Verbs

An intransitive verb does NOT take an object.

She sleeps too much.

He complains frequently.

Let’s Practice

Tell me what each sentence is using – a transitive or intransitive verb.

1. Kenny taught the class.

2. He sits around too often.

3. Rob ran the marathon in under two hours.

4. That boy cries a lot.

Answers

1. Kenny taught the class. TRANSITIVE2. He sits around too often.INTRANSITIVE3. Rob ran the marathon in under two hours.TRANSITIVE4. That boy cries a lot. INTRANSITIVE