Learning English grammar becomes easier when we understand how words work in a sentence. Verbs are action words, but not all verbs are the same. Some verbs need an object to complete their meaning, and some do not. These are called transitive and intransitive verbs. Knowing the difference between them helps us write better sentences and speak more clearly. In this article, we will Learn what transitive and intransitive verbs are, how they are used, and see simple examples to understand them better.
What Are Verbs?
Verbs are action words in English. They show what someone or something is doing. A verb can also tell us about a state or condition, like being happy or feeling tired. Verbs are an important part of every sentence because they tell us what is happening. Without a verb, a sentence is not complete.
What Are Transitive Verbs?
Transitive verbs are action words that always need a direct object to complete their meaning. The action of the verb is done to something or someone. Without the object, the sentence feels incomplete. These verbs answer the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb. In simple words, a transitive verb passes its action to an object, making the sentence clear and complete.
What Are Transitive Verbs in English
Example:
She reads a book.
(Here, a book is the object receiving the action reads.)
Without the object, the sentence becomes unclear:
She reads. ❌ (Incomplete)
Types of Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs can be divided into three types based on the number and kind of objects:
1. Monotransitive Verbs
These verbs take one object.
He bought a pen.
2. Ditransitive Verbs
These verbs take two objects – one direct and one indirect.
She gave me a gift.
(Gift = direct object, Me = indirect object)
3. Complex Transitive Verbs
These take an object and a complement to complete the meaning.
They elected him president.
(Him = object, President = complement)
Common Transitive Verbs and Examples
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| watch | We watched a movie. |
| bring | He brought his bag. |
| write | I wrote a letter. |
| send | She sent a message. |
| eat | They ate an apple. |
What Are Intransitive Verbs?
Intransitive verbs are action words that do not need an object to complete their meaning. The action ends with the subject and doesn’t pass on to anything else. For example, when someone sleeps or cries, the action is complete without affecting another person or thing. In simple terms, intransitive verbs show actions that don’t need a receiver.
What Are Intransitive Verbs in English
Example:
He sleeps soundly.
(There is no object, and the sentence is complete.)
Types of Intransitive Verbs
1. Pure Intransitive Verbs
These never take an object.
She runs fast.
2. Linking Intransitive Verbs
These link the subject to more information, often using a complement.
He seems happy.
3. Ergative Verbs (Middle Voice)
These can appear without an object but may take one in other contexts.
The door opened.
Common Intransitive Verbs and Examples
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| go | He goes to school. |
| die | The soldier died bravely. |
| laugh | The baby laughed. |
| fall | Leaves fall in autumn. |
| arrive | She arrived early. |
Main Differences Between Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
The main difference between transitive and intransitive verbs is that transitive verbs need an object to complete their meaning, while intransitive verbs do not. A transitive verb passes the action to something or someone else, but an intransitive verb shows an action that ends with the subject. In simple words, transitive verbs affect an object, and intransitive verbs do not. Here’s a quick comparison to make the concept more clear:
| Feature | Transitive Verbs | Intransitive Verbs |
|---|---|---|
| Needs an Object | Yes | No |
| Meaning Without Object | Incomplete | Complete |
| Examples | Read a book, Take the bus | Sleep, Arrive, Laugh |
| Number of Objects | Can take one or more | Usually takes none |
| Possible to Make Passive? | Yes (The book was read by her) | No (He slept — can’t be passive) |
How to Identify Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Use this simple trick:
🔹 Ask “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb.
He plays… what? — Football ✅ → Transitive
She sleeps… what? — ❌ Nothing → Intransitive
Example Sentences of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
| Transitive Verbs Examples | Intransitive Verbs Examples |
|---|---|
| She bought a new dress. | He slept on the couch. |
| I opened the gate slowly. | We arrived just before sunset. |
| They watched a movie together. | Kids ran across the field. |
| He cleaned the kitchen floor. | My dad laughed very loudly. |
| We fixed the broken fan. | The baby cried all night. |
| She carried her school bag. | Birds fly over the house. |
| I lost my car keys. | You jumped so high today. |
| He sent a message quickly. | Water boiled on the stove. |
| We read an old book. | His dog barked for hours. |
| She wrote a short letter. | Her cat slept under the bed. |
| Tom drank cold coffee. | Clouds moved slowly in the sky. |
| They broke the glass window. | The sun shines every morning. |
| We packed our clothes early. | Smoke rose from the chimney. |
| She washed the dishes quickly. | Leaves fall in autumn. |
| I ate a sandwich today. | Stars twinkle at night. |
| He grabbed the car keys. | Time passed very fast. |
| Mom cut the vegetables. | A child grew so tall. |
| I painted the front wall. | The balloon popped suddenly. |
| She repaired her old shoes. | Guests arrived at 7 PM. |
| Dad closed the door gently. | Her mood changed quickly. |
Example Sentences of Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
List of Transitive Verbs (Need an object)
- write
- make
- bring
- take
- hold
- carry
- eat
- drink
- read
- open
- clean
- fix
- catch
- build
- buy
- draw
- cook
- paint
- love
- know
- send
- borrow
- throw
- break
- watch
- wash
- feed
- wear
- sell
- hear
List of Intransitive Verbs (Do not need an object)
- sleep
- walk
- run
- cry
- smile
- laugh
- arrive
- go
- come
- swim
- jump
- rest
- travel
- grow
- live
- cough
- sneeze
- stand
- sit
- fall
- wait
- disappear
- dance
- shout
- fly
- change
- happen
- shine
- rain
- yawn
Some Verbs Can Be Both
Yes! Some verbs can function as both, depending on the sentence.
| Verb | Transitive Use | Intransitive Use |
|---|---|---|
| run | She runs a shop. | She runs every morning. |
| break | He broke the vase. | The vase broke. |
| start | I started the car. | The meeting started. |
Quick Summary Table
| Type | Needs Object? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transitive Verb | Yes | She wrote a story. |
| Intransitive Verb | No | He smiled. |
| Both | Sometimes | He opened the door / It opened |
