Transitive Verbs: Definition and Examples
Transitive verbs are action verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning. A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.
In a sentence with a transitive verb, the subject performs the action, and the direct object receives the action.
Here are some examples of transitive verbs in sentences:
1. She baked a cake for the party. In this sentence, “baked” is the transitive verb, and “cake” is the direct object.
2. The children played soccer in the park. In this sentence, “played” is the transitive verb, and “soccer” is the direct object.
3. He painted the house last summer. In this sentence, “painted” is the transitive verb, and “house” is the direct object.
4. I wrote a letter to my grandmother. In this sentence, “wrote” is the transitive verb, and “letter” is the direct object.
5. The teacher explained the lesson to the students. In this sentence, “explained” is the transitive verb, and “lesson” is the direct object.
In each of these examples, the transitive verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Without the direct object, the sentence would be incomplete or unclear.
It is important to note that some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on the context. For example, the verb “run” can be both transitive and intransitive:
- He ran a marathon. (transitive)
- She runs every morning. (intransitive)
In the first sentence, “ran” is transitive because it requires the direct object “marathon” to complete its meaning. In the second sentence, “runs” is intransitive because it does not require a direct object.
Overall, transitive verbs are an important part of English grammar and are essential for clear and effective communication. By understanding how transitive verbs work and how to use them correctly, you can improve your writing and communication skills.
What is a Transitive Verb?
A transitive verb is a type of verb that takes an object, which is a noun or a pronoun that receives the action of the verb.
In other words, a transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. For example, in the sentence “She ate an apple,” the verb “ate” is transitive because it requires the direct object “apple” to make sense.
Another example of a transitive verb is “throw” in the sentence “He threw the ball.” In this case, “ball” is the direct object of the verb “threw.”
It’s important to note that not all verbs are transitive; some verbs are intransitive, which means they don’t take an object. For example, in the sentence “She slept soundly,” the verb “slept” is intransitive because it doesn’t require an object.
How Do You Identify a Transitive Verb?
To identify a transitive verb, you can ask the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb in a sentence. If the answer is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb, then the verb is transitive. Here is an example:
Sentence: “He drank the water.”
Question: “He drank what?”
Answer: “The water.”
In this example, the verb “drank” is transitive because the question “He drank what?” is answered by the direct object “the water.”
Here’s another example:
Sentence: “She played the guitar.”
Question: “She played what?”
Answer: “The guitar.”
In this example, the verb “played” is transitive because the question “She played what?” is answered by the direct object “the guitar.”
It’s important to note that some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how they are used in a sentence. In these cases, it’s important to look at the context of the sentence to determine whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.
What are the 3 Types of Verbs Transitive?
There are three types of transitive verbs:
Simple Transitive Verbs
These are verbs that have only one object that receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “I ate the pizza,” the verb “ate” is a simple transitive verb, and “the pizza” is the direct object.
Double Transitive Verbs
These are verbs that have two objects – a direct object that receives the action of the verb, and an indirect object that is affected by the action of the verb.
For example, in the sentence “She gave him a gift,” the verb “gave” is a double transitive verb, and “him” is the indirect object, while “a gift” is the direct object.
Complex Transitive Verbs
These are verbs that have a direct object and a complement that describes or renames the direct object. For example, in the sentence “I consider him a friend,” the verb “consider” is a complex transitive verb, and “him” is the direct object, while “a friend” is the complement that describes or renames the direct object.
It’s important to note that not all verbs are transitive, and some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on their usage in a sentence.