A transitive verb is an action word that uses an object as a receiver of the action. The transitive verbs are underlined in the following example sentences:
I appreciate your concern.
We have to retain indispensable employees.
I couldn’t find them.
Sally adores children.
What are Direct and Indirect Objects?
If the object follows the transitive verb, it is a direct object. It usually answers the question “what” or “whom”?
The receiver of the direct object is the indirect object. It tells to whom or for whom the action is for.
Example:
Janice gave her sister a dress.
Janice is the subject.
gave is the verb.
What was given? A dress.
A dress is the direct object.
Who received the dress (indirect object)? Her sister.
Her sister is the indirect object.
A direct object and an indirect object can be used in the same sentence with some transitive verbs.
Jane bought him a present.
him [indirect object] a present [direct object]
They gave her a homework.
her [indirect object] a homework [direct object]
The following are some common verbs that can be used with a direct and indirect object:
Verb Example
Pass She passed him the bowl of soup.
Leave Leave me a note so that I’ll know what to do.
Cost Her arrogance cost her her friends.
Wish They wished us the best of luck.
Lend She lent me her winter clothes.
Buy She buys her a cup of coffee.
Make I made us some breakfast.
Sell She sold me her house.
Show Alex showed me his new car.
Offer They offered her the highest position in the company.
Intransitive verbs
It is a verb that does not have a direct object. In the sentence, there is no mention of who or what received the action performed.
Here are some examples of intransitive verbs:
The children are playing.
They are studying in Bristol University.
They smiled sweetly.
We studied overnight.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
There are many verbs that can both be transitive and intransitive. Here are some examples:
His mother sang a lullaby. [transitive]
She usually sings alone. [intransitive]
She left her home at six o’clock this morning. [transitive]
She left at six o’clock. [intransitive]
Here are some common verbs that can both be used as a transitive and intransitive:
Verb Transitive Intransitive
change Her fame totally changed her. My school has changed a lot.
start She started the whole fight. The party starts at 7 p.m.
run She runs a hair salon. She ran across the hall.
do She has to do her homework soon. I am doing just fine.
set She set a meeting for the bosses. The sun sets at 6pm.
stop We tried to stop her from making The music stopped.
a big mistake.
open Open the door and let the cool The store opens at 9am.
wind in.
close Close the door and leave the bags Restaurants in the city close early.
outside.
move Could you move your things to the The cars were moving slowly.
left please?
write Please write me a letter soon. She writes legibly.
wash Please wash your clothes. I usually wash at night.