Action verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.

When an action verb is transitive, it is followed by a direct object. A direct object is the pronoun, noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb. To find the direct object, ask “what” or “whom” the verb is acting on.

Joan walked her dog.

What or whom did Joan walk? her dog

The verb, walked, is transitive in this sentence because it has a direct object, her dog.

When an action verb is intransitive, it does not have a direct object.

Joan walked around the block.

What or whom did Joan walk? There is no direct object to answer this question.

The verb, walked, is intransitive in this sentence because it does not have a direct object.

When an action verb is followed immediately by a prepositional phrase, it is always intransitive. The noun, pronoun or noun phrase in a prepositional phrase is never a direct object.

Linking verbs are always intransitive. The noun, pronoun or noun phrase that follows a linking verb describes or renames the subject; it does not tell whom or what the verb is acting on.

Joan was a nurse for twenty-five years before her retirement.

The verb, was, is a linking verb. The noun phrase, a nurse, renames the subject, Joan.

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