Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Verbs in English can be classified into two groups as Transitive and Intransitive verbs. The Transitive Verb is the one that takes an object and the Intransitive Verb is the one that does not take any object.

Transitive Verb:  

The verb that takes an object is called a Transitive Verb. Here, the object shows who or what completes the action expressed in the verb. 

Examples:  

• We are learning English grammar
• I am closing the door.
• She is operating the computer.
• Berry is doing the projects.

 Intransitive Verb: 

The Verb that does not take any object is called an Intransitive Verb. Here, it does not require any object to complete the action expressed in the verb. 

Examples: 

• The boy is running very fast.
• He is sleeping soundly.
• The door has opened slowly.

How to identify the Transitive or Intransitive Verb:

To know the given verb is transitive or intransitive is to know whether there is any object in a sentence or not.

If there is an object in a sentence, the verb is called a transitive verb.

If there is no object, in a sentence, the verb is called an intransitive verb.

Then, how to identify the object in a sentence:  

Well! It is easy. 

The subject (noun or pronoun) answering What? or Whom? after the verb is called the object.

 If we don’t get any answer, it means that there is no object in a sentence.

Let’s find out the Transitive Verb in a sentence:

She is operating the computer.

What is she operating?            The answer is ‘the computer’. 

Ricky is helping his friend.

To whom is Ricky helping?           The answer is ‘his friend’.

In the sentences above, we get the answer and there are objects. That means the sentences contain transitive verbs. 

More Examples:

• The children are playing football.
• I am watching TV now.
• They removed him from the job.
• Don’t turn on the light.
• I cannot see you anywhere.
• She has sent several messages.
• The CM has recently inaugurated this Dam.
• They constructed a new house here.

Let’s find out the Intransitive Verb in a sentence:

The boy is running fast.

What is running fast?     No answer.    So there is no object.

Whom is he running?     No answer.     So there is no object.     

She is going to college.

What is she going?          No answer.    So there is no object.

Whom is she going?           No answer.    So there is no object.  

So the verb used in the above sentences is an Intransitive Verb.

More Examples:

• The birds are flying in the air.
• The baby has been crying for two hours.
• Several people died due to corona.
• It rained heavily yesterday.
• They have waited there for hours together.
• They go for walks every day
• He always sits in the backbench
• The small kid is standing in the corner.

The Transitive Verb with two objects: (Ditransitive Verbs)

Some Transitive Verbs have two objects called Direct Object and Indirect Object.

Direct Object:  When we get an answer to the question ‘what’,  it is called a Direct Object.

Indirect Object:  When we get an answer to the question ‘whom’,  it is called an Indirect Object.

Example:

She wrote me a letter.

What did she write?     The answer is ‘a letter’ – it is called a Direct Object.

To whom did she write a letter?     The answer is ‘to me’ – it is called an Indirect Object.

More Examples:

• She offered me a chair.
• They brought my daughter a beautiful gift.
• My father has given me this advice.
• Why don’t you tell me a story?
• Can I buy you a bike?
• My friend sold me her Audi car.
• I am taking my wife a gold ring.
• She was showing me her child’s photos.
• The teacher wished the students all the best.
• She lent her friend some amount.

The Verbs that are both transitive and intransitive:

The following table shows that the verbs can be used as transitively and intransitively.

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