Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: Definition, Examples and Usage

Verbs are action words that tell us what the subject is doing or describe a state of being. They can be transitive or intransitive. This classification is based on the need for an object to complete the meaning of the sentence. In this guide, you will learn about transitive and intransitive verbs, their differences, how to identify them, and their examples.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Transitive Verb?
• What is an Intransitive Verb?
• Transitive Verbs vs Intransitive Verbs
• How to Identify a Transitive Verb
• How to Identify an Intransitive Verb
• Examples of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

What Is a Transitive Verb?

A transitive verb is a verb that needs a direct object to complete its meaning. Without objects, these sentences would not make complete sense. The action of the verb is transferred from the subject to the object, so the sentence feels incomplete without it. In other words, a transitive verb answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the action. 

Examples: She bought a book. (bought what? → a book)

They helped the teacher. (helped whom? → the teacher)

 

What is an Intransitive Verb?

An intransitive verb is a verb that does not require a direct object to complete its meaning. Here, the action expressed by the verb does not pass on to an object, so the sentence makes sense without the object. 

Examples: She sleeps.

He complains frequently.

Transitive Verbs vs Intransitive Verbs

Understand the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs with simple explanations to learn how to identify whether a verb needs an object and improve your grammar skills easily.

 

How to Identify a Transitive Verb

A transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning. To identify it, ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb. If you get a clear answer, the verb is transitive. If the sentence feels incomplete without an object, it is a transitive verb.

Examples: She bought a dress. (bought what? → a dress)

He helped his friend. (helped whom? → his friend)

They built a house. (built what? → a house)

How to Identify an Intransitive Verb

An intransitive verb does not need a direct object to complete its meaning. To identify it, check if the sentence makes sense on its own without adding anything after the verb.

You cannot ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb in a meaningful way. These sentences are complete by themselves. Adding a direct object would make such sentences incorrect. Some verbs are always intransitive, such as arrive, sleep, and happen, and they cannot take an object.

Examples: The child laughed.

The birds flew away.

He arrived late.

The sun rose.

Examples of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

For better understanding, here are some examples of transitive and intransitive verbs.  

Examples of Transitive Verbs

1. The boy / kicked / the ball. (subject / verb / object)

2. She / baked / a cake. (subject / verb / object)

3. He / drew / a picture. (subject / verb / object)

4. They / carried / the boxes. (subject / verb / object)

5. I / read / a storybook. (subject / verb / object)

6. We / planted / trees. (subject / verb / object)

7. She / decorated / the room. (subject / verb / object)

8. He / closed / the window. (subject / verb / object)

9. They / found / the keys. (subject / verb / object)

10. I / washed / my clothes. (subject / verb / object)

Examples of Intransitive Verbs

1. The flowers / smelled / sweet. (subject / verb / complement)

2. The children / laughed. (subject / verb)

3. The dog / ran. (subject / verb)

4. She / smiled. (subject / verb)

5. The wind / blew. (subject / verb)

6. He / jumped / high. (subject / verb / adverb)

7. The girl / danced. (subject / verb)

8. The bell / rang. (subject / verb)

9. They / swam / well. (subject / verb / adverb)

10. The train / stopped. (subject / verb)