Transitive and Intransitive Verbs—What’s the
Difference?
A verb can be described as transitive or intransitive based on whether it requires an object to
express a complete thought or not. A transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its
action on an object. An intransitive verb will make sense without one. Some verbs may be used
both ways.
The word transitive often makes people think of transit, which leads to the mistaken
assumption that the terms transitive and intransitive are just fancy ways of describing action
and nonaction. But these terms have nothing to do with whether a verb is active or not. A
better word to associate when you see transitive is transfer. A transitive verb needs to transfer
its action to something or someone—an object. In essence, transitive means “to affect
something else.”
Once you have this concept committed to memory, spotting the difference between transitive
and intransitive verbs is quite easy.
How to Identify a Transitive Verb
Transitive verbs are not just verbs that can take an object; they demand objects. Without an
object to affect, the sentence that a transitive verb inhabits will not seem complete.
Example : Please bring coffee.
In this sentence, the verb bring is transitive; its object is coffee, the thing that is being brought.
Without an object of some kind, this verb cannot function.
It can’t be : Please bring.
Bring what, or who? The question begs itself because the meaning of bring demands it.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs and their objects.
• The girls carry water to their village.
• Juan threw the ball.
• Could you phone the neighbours?
• I caught a cold.
• She loves rainbows.
• Lila received the message.
TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS
Each of the verbs in these sentences have objects that complete the verbs’ actions. If the
objects were taken out, the results would be illogical and questions would be raised in the mind
of the reader; for example, Lila received. Received what?
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.
• They jumped.
• The dog ran.
• She sang.
• A light was shining.
None of these verbs require an object for the sentence to make sense, and all of them can end
a sentence. Some imperative forms of verbs can even make comprehensible one-word
sentences.
Run!
Sing!
A number of English verbs can only be intransitive; that is, they will never make sense paired
with an object. Two examples of intransitive-only verbs are arrive and die. You can’t arrive
something, and you certainly can’t die something; it is impossible for an object to follow these
verbs.
Transitive or Intransitive? Some Verbs Can Be Both
Many verbs can be classified as both transitive and intransitive depending on how they are used
in a sentence.
Example : “After all, she sang.”
“She sang the national anthem at the hockey game”.
“After he cleaned up, he left”.
“He left the gift on the table”.
TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS
To decide whether the verb is being used transitively or intransitively, all you need to do is
determine whether the verb has an object. Does she sing something? Does he leave
something? The verb is only transitive when the answer is yes.
When in doubt, look it up. In the dictionary, verbs will be listed as transitive, intransitive, or
both right under the pronunciation key, and any possible differences in meaning between the
two uses will be given as well.
Phrasal Verbs and Transitivity
Phrasal verbs can also be classified as transitive or intransitive.
Example : Cindy has decided to give up sweets while she diets.
I hope Cindy doesn’t give up.
Give up is just one of many phrasal verbs that can be transitive or intransitive. Whether give up
has an object or not will alter the meaning it conveys. The first sense of give up means “to
forget something,” whereas the second sense means “to stop trying.”
Transitive or intransitive is just one of the many classifications a verb can have. Perhaps you will
be inspired to read about more about the fascinating qualities of verbs.
TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS
