Transitive Verb
Phonetics:
trænzətɪv
vɜːb
Pronunciation:
Beyond the Basics: Exploring Transitive Verbs
Comprehensive Definition, Description, Examples & Rules
Introduction
Transitive and intransitive verbs are two important verb forms in the English language that convey an action or a physical change in the environment. While a transitive verb requires a direct object (which may be a noun or a pronoun) to complete its meaning, an intransitive verb does not require any direct object to complete its meaning and provides sufficient information on its own.
Transitive verb examples: I made a cake; She hit the car.
Intransitive verb examples: Ricky sang; Rita dances.
Transitive and intransitive verbs play a crucial role in sentence construction. While a transitive verb transfers the effect of the action onto some direct object, intransitive verbs don’t. Some examples are given below:
Transitive verbs:
- Kenny ate his vegetables. (Here, the effect of the action, ‘to eat’ is falling on the direct object, ‘vegetables’, without which the sentence would cease making sense)
- Jack threw a ball. 9here, the effect of the action ‘throwing’ falls on the direct object, ‘ball’, without which the sentence would not make any sense.)
Intransitive verbs:
- The birds are flying. (Here, the effect of the action, ‘flying’ does not fall on any object and is complete in itself)
- She cried (here, the effect of the verb, ‘to cry’ does not fall on any object and is complete in itself)
Understanding Transitive verbs
Transitive verbs are those verbs that need at least one direct object to complete their meaning. The effect of the action described through a transitive verb falls on a direct object which may either be a noun or a pronoun. In other words, the noun or a pronoun receives the effect of the action performed.
Transitive verb examples: Tom read a book; Rita made a scrumptious meal; The teacher wrote on the board; He built a lovely house, etc.
Identifying Transitive Verbs in Context
A clear understanding of transitive verbs is crucial to identifying transitive verbs in a sentence.
Tips and techniques to recognize transitive verbs in various sentences:
- Look out for direct objects in a sentence on which the effect of the action is transferred.
- Ask the ‘what’ or ‘whom’ after the transitive verb. If you get a meaningful answer, the verb is transitive.
- Look for completeness in a sentence. If the sentence stops making sense if the object is removed, the verb is transitive.
Common patterns and structures associated with transitive verbs:
Subject+ Transitive verb+ Direct Object
- Example: Rick painted a picture.
Subject+ Transitive verb+ Direct Object+ Adverb
- Example: Rick painted a picture beautifully.
Subject+ Transitive verb+ Indirect Object+ Direct Object
- Example: Rick gifted his friend a picture.
Exploring Intransitive verbs
An intransitive verb is a complete verb that does not depend on any object to complete its meaning. The effect of the action described by an intransitive verb does not fall on any object and is complete in itself. Some intransitive verbs instances are as follows:
- The aeroplane landed safely.
- The children ran joyfully.
- The baby slept quietly.
- The sun shone brightly in the morning sky.
Differentiating Transitive and intransitive verbs
- A transitive verb requires an object to complete its meaning, whereas an intransitive verb does not require an object to complete its meaning.
- The effect of the action described by a transitive verb falls on a noun or a pronoun that takes the place of an object, whereas the effect of the action described by an intransitive verb does not fall on any object.
- A transitive verb ceases to make sense if the object is removed from the sentence, but an intransitive verb is complete on its own.
How to discern if a verb is transitive or intransitive:
- Identify the action verb in a sentence. It could be a main verb or a phrase.
- Look for the direct object in the sentence without which the sentence would stop making sense. If there is such an object present, the verb is transitive.
- Look for completeness in a sentence. If a complete meaning is expressed by an action verb alone, the verb is intransitive.
Transitive and intransitive verbs in Action
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of sentences containing transitive and intransitive verbs, highlighting the effects of direct objects and the lack thereof:
Transitive verbs (with object)
She ate guava. (The transitive verb ‘eat’ requires an object ‘guava’ to complete its meaning)
Intransitive verb (without object)
The birds flew. (The intransitive verb ‘flew’ is complete in itself and does not require an object to complete its meaning.
Transitive verbs (with object)
They built a sandcastle. (The transitive verb ‘built’ requires an object ‘sandcastle’ to complete its meaning)
Intransitive verb (without object)
The sun rises. (The intransitive verb ‘rises’ is complete in itself and does not require an object to complete its meaning.
Transitive verb examples
Here’s a comprehensive showcase of sentences with transitive verbs across various contexts, illustrating the versatility of transitive verbs in different situations:
- Physical Action
He dragged a big bag.
The children threw slime at each other.
Eating and Drinking
- The family ate dinner together.
- Mother is eating porridge.
Creative Activities
- The sculptor carved a beautiful sculpture.
- She wrote an intriguing mystery novel.
Buying and Selling
- She sold her old house.
- They bought a brand-new car.
Intransitive verb examples
Here’s a collection of sentences with intransitive verbs, showcasing their standalone nature and demonstrating how they complete sentences without direct objects:
- The river flows swiftly.
- The leaves fell gently from the tree.
- She laughed heartily.
- He cried very sadly last night.
- The sunset later in the evening.
In all of these above sentences, there is no need for an object and the completeness of the sentence is intact even without it.
The Importance of Transitive Verbs in Communication
Role of transitive verbs in conveying precise meaning and action:
Transitive verbs demand an object to achieve their implication. Due to this, they convey a clear and precise image of the action being performed. By facilitating the action verb with an object on which the effect of the action verb falls, transitive verbs convey exact information and avoid ambiguities.
For example:
- She ate(incomplete and vague)
- She ate an apple (clear and precise)
Role of transitive verbs in enhancing the impact of written and spoken language:
Transitive verbs add intensity and profoundness to written and spoken language. They bring action and change to sentences, making the writing or speech more appealing and colourful. By providing a direct object, transitive verbs allow writers and speakers to express specific actions and events, which can stir up emotions and create a long-term force on the listeners.
For example:
“He ran.” (Simple statement)
“He sprinted towards the finish line.” (More influential and expressive)
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Key Takeaways
- Transitive verbs require an object to complete its meaning whereas intransitive verbs are complete without an object.
- A transitive verb conveys clear and precise information.
- Some verbs can be used both as transitive and intransitive depending on the context. Examples: talk, sing, dance, etc.
Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
To identify a transitive verb in a sentence, ask ‘what’ or ‘whom’ after the verb to get a direct object as the answer. Also, look if the sentence is incomplete without the object. If yes, the verb is transitive.
A direct object takes the effect of the transitive verb on itself and helps the transitive verb to complete its meaning.
There are no specific rules or patterns for using transitive verbs in English. The only necessity is that of an object in a sentence with a transitive verb in it.
Yes, some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context. For example, talking, singing, dancing, etc.
Some commonly used transitive verbs are eat, write, make, buy, give, etc.
A transitive verb requires an object to complete its meaning and affects the structure of a sentence by providing clear and concise information through objects.
