Identify transitive and intransitive verbs

Key Notes:

1. What Are Verbs?

Verbs are action words or words that express a state of being. They describe what a subject does (action) or the state the subject is in.

2. Definition oaf Transitive Verbs

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The action of the verb is transferred to the object.

  • Direct Object: The noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.
  • Examples of Transitive Verbs:
  • Incorrect: She bought. (The sentence is incomplete because there’s no object.)
  • Correct: She bought a book. (‘Book’ is the direct object receiving the action of buying.)

3. Definition of Intransitive Verbs

An intransitive verb does not need a direct object to complete its meaning. The action or state of being stays with the subject and is not passed to another object.

  • Examples of Intransitive Verbs:
  • Correct: The baby cried.
  • Correct: They arrived late.

4. How to Identify Transitive Verbs

To identify a transitive verb:

  • Step 1: Find the verb in the sentence.
  • Step 2: Ask “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb to find the direct object.
  • Example:
    • Sentence: She writes stories.
    • Question: She writes what?
    • Answer: Stories (direct object), so “writes” is a transitive verb.

5. How to Identify Intransitive Verbs

To identify an intransitive verb:

  • Step 1: Find the verb in the sentence.
  • Step 2: Check if there is a direct object after the verb.
  • Example:
    • Sentence: He sleeps soundly.
    • No direct object, so “sleeps” is an intransitive verb.

6. Examples of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs in Sentences

  • Transitive Verb Example:
  • She gave her friend a gift.
    (Gave what? A gift – direct object.)
  • Intransitive Verb Example:
  • The birds flew away.
    (No direct object, so ‘flew’ is intransitive.)

7. Some Verbs Can Be Both Transitive and Intransitive

Some verbs can function as either transitive or intransitive depending on the context of the sentence.

  • Example 1:
  • Transitive: She reads books.
    (Reads what? Books – direct object.)
  • Intransitive: She reads in the library.
    (No direct object, so ‘reads’ is intransitive.)
  • Example 2:
  • Transitive: He opened the door.
    (Opened what? The door – direct object.)
  • Intransitive: The door opened slowly.
    (No direct object, so ‘opened’ is intransitive.)

8. Key Differences Between Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

  • Transitive Verbs:
  • Always have a direct object.
  • Action is transferred to another entity.
  • Example: He threw the ball.
  • Intransitive Verbs:
  • Never have a direct object.
  • Action stays with the subject.
  • Example: She laughed loudly.

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