Caleb S.
Caleb S.

What are Transitive Verbs? Definition, Usage, and Examples

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Published on: Jul 12, 2024

Last updated on: Aug 7, 2024

transitive verbs

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You’re playing catch with a friend and you just say, "I threw," it sounds incomplete, right? What did you throw? A ball, a frisbee, a rock? In this case, "threw" is a transitive verb because it requires an object to make sense.

Let’s look at another example: "She baked." This sentence leaves us hanging. What did she bake? Cookies, a cake, or maybe a pie? If we say, "She baked a cake," the sentence now feels complete because "cake" is the object receiving the action of baking.

Transitive verbs are like connectors in sentences, linking the action to what’s being acted upon. Let's explore how to use them, and look at plenty of examples to help you understand this grammatical concept.


Transitive Verb Definition

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 

“A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning."

In other words, a transitive verb is an acting verb that must be followed by a noun or pronoun that receives the action.

A transitive verb cannot stand alone without transferring the action to something or someone. The action of the verb needs to be received by the direct object. 

Transitive Verb Examples 

Understanding transitive verbs is easier when we see them in sentences. Here are some examples of transitive verbs that illustrate how they work:

1. She bought a new car.

  • Verb: bought
  • Direct Object: a new car

2. They built a house last year.

  • Verb: built
  • Direct Object: a house

3. The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.

  • Verb: prepared
  • Direct Object: a delicious meal

Types of Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs can be categorized into different types based on how they relate to their direct objects. Here are the main types:

1. Direct Transitive Verbs

These verbs directly affect their objects without the need for prepositions

  • For example: He ate an apple.

2. Indirect Transitive Verbs

These verbs require prepositions to connect with their objects. 

  • For example: She spoke to him about the project.

3. Ditransitive Verbs

These verbs can take both a direct object and an indirect object. 

[subject] + [transitive verb]+ [indirect object] + [direct object]

  • For example: She gave him a gift.
  • (Indirect Object: him)

4. Complex Transitive Verbs

These verbs require both a direct object and a complement to complete their meaning. The complement further describes or renames the direct object. 

  • For example: They elected him president.

(Complement: president)

How to Use Transitive Verbs in Sentences

Like all verbs, transitive verbs must agree with their subjects and be correctly conjugated for tense, mood, and voice.

Direct objects can be nouns, pronouns, phrases, or prepositional phrases that include them along with any modifiers such as articles, adjectives, and attributive nouns.

[subject] + [transitive verb] + [direct object]

1. Identify the Action

Determine the verb in the sentence that describes the action.

  • Example: "She paints."

2. Provide a Direct Object

Ensure the action is directed towards someone or something by adding a direct object.

  • Example: "She paints a picture."

3. Check for Completeness

Verify that the sentence makes sense and is complete with the direct object.

  • Example: "She paints a picture" (complete) vs. "She paints" (incomplete without context).

Transitive Verb vs. Intransitive Verb

Verbs in English can be categorized into two main types: transitive verbs and intransitive verbs.

Here’s how they differ:

Aspect

Transitive Verbs

Intransitive Verbs

Definition

Require a direct object to complete its meaning.

Do not require a direct object to complete their meaning.

Example

"She bought a new car."

"He runs every morning."

Verb Example

bought

runs

Direct Object

a new car

(No direct object)

Action

Transfers action to the direct object.

The action does not transfer to a direct object.

What are Ambitransitive Verbs?

Transitive verbs come in various forms, including irregular verbs and phrasal verbs. 

But a verb is called an ambitransitive verb when it can function both as transitive or intransitive, depending on how it is used in a sentence. This means that they can take a direct object but only sometimes require one to make sense.

Example: Eat

Transitive: "She ate an apple."

  • Verb: ate
  • Direct Object: an apple

Intransitive: "She ate quickly."

  • Verb: ate
  • (No direct object)

Transitive Verbs Worksheet

Test your knowledge with the help of these transitive verbs exercises.

Part 1: Identify the Transitive Verb and Direct Object

  1. She baked a cake.
  2. He caught the ball.
  3. They painted the fence.
  4. The teacher explained the lesson.
  5. She borrowed a book from the library.

Part 2: Complete the Sentences with Transitive or Intransitive Verbs

  1. She __________ (I) in the morning.
  2. He __________ (T) a letter to his friend.
  3. They __________ (I) at the party.
  4. She __________ (T) the answer to the question.
  5. The baby __________ (I) loudly.

Part 3: Each sentence below contains an error related to using transitive verbs. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

  1. He ate.
  2. She wrote.
  3. They built.
  4. He read.
  5. She found.


Answer Key

Part 1: Identify the Transitive Verb and Direct Object

  1. She baked (a cake).
  2. He caught (the ball).
  3. They painted (the fence).
  4. The teacher explained (the lesson).
  5. She borrowed (a book) from the library.

Part 2: Complete the Sentences with Transitive or Intransitive Verbs

She sings (I) in the morning.

He wrote (T) a letter to his friend.

They laughed (I) at the party.

She knew (T) the answer to the question.

The baby cried (I) loudly.

Part 3: Sentence Correction

  1. He ate an apple.
  2. She wrote a letter.
  3. They built a house.
  4. He read a novel.
  5. She found her keys.

Throughout this blog, we've explored the definition, identified examples, distinguished between transitive and intransitive verbs, and learned how to use them correctly in sentences. 

By practicing with exercises and examples, you can enhance your proficiency in using transitive verbs, ensuring your writing is both grammatically correct and engaging. 

For flawless writing every time, consider using our grammar checker. It helps polish your work and ensures clarity and accuracy in your writing.

And if you're looking for a website that writes essays for you free, check out MyEssayWriter.ai today! 

Continue Learning

If you want to learn more about academic writing, grammar, and related concepts, check out these blogs. 

Grammar


Writing


Citation

Dangling Modifiers

Essay Writing

APA format

Homophones

Essay Outline

MLA format

Infinitives

Paraphrasing

Chicago Style

Analogy

Thesis Statement

Harvard Style

Participle

Paragraph

IEEE Citation

Articles in Grammar

Summary?

Oxford Referencing

Phrases

Plagiarism

ASA Format

Parts of Speech

Sentence Structure

ACS Citation

Frequently Asked Questions

Give a transitive verb and intransitive verb example.

 

  • Transitive Verb: He wrote a letter.
  • Intransitive Verb: She sleeps.

Give a list of list of common transitive verbs.

  • Accept
  • Build
  • Buy
  • Carry
  • Catch
  • Choose
  • Cook
  • Hold
  • Find
  • Give
Caleb S.

WRITTEN BY

Caleb S. (Mass Literature and Linguistics)

Caleb S. is an accomplished author with over five years of experience and a Master's degree from Oxford University. He excels in various writing forms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As a valued author at MyEssayWriter.ai, Caleb assists students and professionals by providing practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style enhancement.

Caleb S. is an accomplished author with over five years of experience and a Master's degree from Oxford University. He excels in various writing forms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As a valued author at MyEssayWriter.ai, Caleb assists students and professionals by providing practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style enhancement.

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