Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are verbs which can take a direct object. In the sentence

• The men love their children.

the noun children is a direct object and the verb love is transitive.

Similarly, in the sentence                                         

• The children like jelly.

the noun jelly is a direct object and the verb like is transitive.

On the other hand, in the sentence

• Snow fell yesterday.

the verb fell (fall) is intransitive because it does not take an object.

Similarly, in the sentence

• The situation improved.

the verb improved (improve) is intransitive.

Many verbs can be either transitive or intransitive according to context. Thus, in the sentence

• They both play the piano.

the verb play is transitive, while, in the sentence

• The children play on the beach every day.

the verb play is intransitive.

Similarly, in the sentence

• They climb the highest mountains.

the verb climb is transitive, while in the sentence,

• The paths climb steeply.

the verb climb is intransitive.

In the following sentences the bolded words form a transitive verb:

• We know the truth.
• They hate the climate here.
• I chose the blue curtains.
• You will adore him.
• She crossed the street.
• We are painting the house.
• They dig the garden at weekends.
• We appreciate the gesture.
• They welcome the praise.
• The doctor cured him.
• We want more money.
• They drink red wine.
• She is picking flowers.

In the following sentences the bolded words form an intransitive verb:

• A figure appeared.
• She blushes easily.
• These plants grow rapidly.
• We failed.
• They work hard.
• He died yesterday.
• He talks constantly.
• Things are going badly.
• I walk with difficulty.
• They ran away.
• She is sleeping.

Direct object and indirect object

The object of a sentence is the part of a sentence that is acted upon or is affected by the verb. It usually follows the verb to which it relates.

There are two possible forms of object in a sentence or clause—a direct object or an indirect object.

A direct object refers to the person or thing that is directly affected by the action described by the verb. The direct object can be a noun, and in the sentence

• The girl hit the ball.

the word ball is a noun and the direct object.

A direct object can also be a pronoun, and in the sentence

• She hit him.

the word him is a pronoun and the direct object. In the following sentences the bolded words form a direct object:

• The dog bit the child.
• He dislikes cats.
• We loved them.
• People admire her.
• He wanted a comfortable city-centre flat.
• She lost her diamond engagement ring.
• I don’t know what you mean.
• I asked why you did that.

An indirect object usually refers to the person who benefits from the action described by the verb, often by receiving something. In the sentence

• Her father sent the school a letter.

the school is the indirect object and a letter is the direct object.

In the following sentences the bolded words form an indirect object.

• I sent you the book.
• She showed her mother the letter.
• We had to tell her the bad news.
• They gave the children some sweets.
• Mary bought them some magazines for the journey.
• Pass me the salt, please.

Thanks for reading about “transitive and intransitive verbs”.