Transitive and intransitive verbs are two categories that classify verbs based on their relationship with the objects or complements in a sentence.
Transitive Verbs:
Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. The action of the verb is transferred from the subject to the object.
- She ate (transitive verb) an apple (direct object).
- He wrote (transitive verb) a letter (direct object).
Rules:
- Transitive verbs must have a direct object to make complete sense in a sentence.
- They answer the question "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb.
- In passive voice constructions, the direct object becomes the subject of the sentence.
Intransitive Verbs:
Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. They express complete action without needing an object to receive the action.
- She slept (intransitive verb).
- They laughed (intransitive verb).
Rules:
- Intransitive verbs do not have a direct object.
- They often express an action that the subject does alone without affecting another noun.
- Intransitive verbs cannot be used in passive voice constructions since there is no direct object to become the subject.