TRANSITIVE VERBS VS. INTRANSITIVE VERBS

TRANSITIVE VERBS/ INTRANSITIVE VERBS

##Transitive verbs

A transitive verb is one that is used with an object: a noun, phrase, or pronoun that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. In the following sentences, admire, maintain, face, and love are transitive verbs:

e.g. I admire your courage.

e.g. We need to maintain product quality.

e.g. I couldn’t face him today.

e.g. She loves animals.

Here is a short list of some common verbs that can take a direct and indirect object:

give

e.g. Pat gave me a book for my birthday.

buy

e.g. Can I buy you a drink?

pass

e.g. Paul passed her a cup of coffee.

make

e.g. Shall I make us some lunch?

sell

e.g. Jenny was trying to sell me her car.

take

e.g. We took Maria some flowers and wine.

show

e.g. Show me your holiday photos.

offer

e.g. The company has offered me a job.

leave

e.g. Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you.

wish

e.g. Everyone wished us all the best for the future.

lend

e.g. Could you lend me £20?

cost

e.g. Ben’s mistake cost him his job.

##Intransitive verbs

An intransitive verb does not have an object. In the following sentences, cry, work, laugh, and talk are intransitive verbs:

e.g.The baby was crying.

e.g.I work for a large firm in Paris.

e.g.They laughed uncontrollably.

e.g.We talked for hours.

Here is a short list of some common verbs that can be transitive or intransitive:

move

e.g.Could you move your car please?

e.g.The trees were moving in the breeze.

start

e.g.Taylor was found guilty of starting the fire.

e.g.The match starts at 3 p.m.

change

e.g.Marriage hasn’t changed her.

e.g.The area’s changed greatly in the last decade.

close

e.g.Close your eyes; I’ve got a surprise for you.

e.g. Most shops here close at 5.30 p.m.

open

e.g.Open the window; it’s too hot in here!

e.g.The museum opens at 10 a.m.

stop

e.g.Greg tried to stop her from leaving.

e.g.When the rain stopped, we went for a walk.

do

e.g.Have you done your coursework?

e.g.Joe’s doing well in his new job.

set

e.g.Kate set a chair next to the bed.

e.g.The sun was setting and a red glow filled the sky.

run

e.g.Michelle used to run a restaurant.

e.g.The path ran over the hill.

live

e.g.Our cat lived till he was 10.

e.g.He was living a life of luxury abroad.

wash

e.g.Have you washed your hands?

e.g.I washed, dressed, and went out.

write

e.g.Write your name here.

e.g.Kevin couldn’t read or write.

Thank you