Transitive Verbs in English: How to Use Them?

Transitive verbs are the workhorses of the English language. They’re the verbs that tell us what the subject of the sentence is doing to something else. Without transitive verbs, our sentences would be pretty boring. So, what are transitive verbs? And how do you use them correctly? In this post, we will discuss what transitive verbs are, how to use them correctly, and provide some examples. So, let’s get started!

The post includes:

• What is a transitive verb?
• How to identify transitive verbs?
• Difference between transitive and intransitive verbs
• Types of transitive verbs
• How to use transitive verbs correctly?
• Frequently asked questions

What is a transitive verb?

A transitive verb is a type of verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning in a sentence. The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.

For example, in the sentence “The cat ate the mouse,” the verb “ate” is transitive and the direct object is “the mouse.” The mouse is the thing that is being eaten.

Transitive verbs can also have an indirect object, which is a noun or pronoun that receives the benefit or result of the action of the verb. The indirect object usually comes before the direct object.

For example, in the sentence “The teacher gave the student a book,” the verb “gave” is transitive, the direct object is “a book,” and the indirect object is “the student.” The student is the one who receives the book.

Transitive verbs play a crucial role in conveying actions and relationships between the subject of the sentence and the object that receives the action.

How to identify transitive verbs?

Identifying transitive verbs is relatively straightforward once you understand their characteristics. Here are some key tips and examples to help you recognize transitive verbs in sentences:

Transitive verbs are usually followed by a direct object, which is a noun or pronoun receiving the action of the verb. The direct object answers the question “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb.

To identify a transitive verb in a sentence, ask yourself the following question:

Does the verb have a direct object?

Example 1: She bought a new car. (The direct object is “a new car.”)

Example 2: They ate pizza for dinner. (The direct object is “pizza.”)

Here are some examples of transitive verbs and their direct objects:

• The dog chased the cat. (The cat is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb chased.)
• The teacher gave the student an A. (The student is the indirect object because it receives the benefit of the action of the verb “gave”, and the A is the direct object because it is the thing that is being given.)
• The artist painted a landscape. (The landscape is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb painted.)
• The writer wrote a novel. (The novel is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb “wrote”.)
• The singer sang a song. (The song is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb sang.)

If the verb does not have a direct object, then it is an intransitive verb.

Here are some examples of intransitive verbs:

• The dog ran around the yard.
• The teacher stood in front of the class.
• The artist sat at his easel.
• The writer thought about her story.
• The singer sang.

Difference between transitive and intransitive verbs

Transitive and intransitive verbs are two distinct types of verbs in English, and they differ in terms of usage and sentence structure. Here are the key differences between them:

Transitive Verbs:

1. Require a Direct Object: Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning in a sentence.

• Example 1: She bought a new car. (Transitive verb “bought” requires the direct object “a new car.”)
• Example 2: He ate pizza for dinner. (Transitive verb “ate” requires the direct object “pizza.”)

2. Create a Clear Subject-Verb-Object Relationship: In sentences with transitive verbs, there is a clear relationship between the subject (who or what is performing the action), the verb (the action itself), and the direct object (what or whom the action is applied to).

• Example 3: They painted the entire room. (Subject: They, Verb: painted, Direct Object: the entire room)

3. Can Be Used in Passive Voice: Transitive verbs can be used to create passive voice sentences, where the direct object becomes the subject of the sentence.

• Example 4 (Active Voice): She wrote a letter. (Transitive)
• Example 5 (Passive Voice): A letter was written by her. (Direct object “a letter” becomes the subject)

Intransitive Verbs:

1. Do Not Require a Direct Object: Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. They can stand alone in a sentence without a direct object.

• Example 6: She slept peacefully. (The intransitive verb “slept” does not have a direct object.)
• Example 7: Birds fly. (The intransitive verb “fly” does not have a direct object.)

2. Can’t Be Used in Passive Voice: Intransitive verbs typically cannot be used to create passive voice sentences because there is no direct object to become the subject.

• Example 8 (Active Voice): He ran a marathon. (Intransitive)
• Example 9 (Incorrect Passive Voice): A marathon was run by him. (This passive construction doesn’t work with “run” as an intransitive verb.)

3. May Be Followed by Adverbs or Prepositional Phrases: Intransitive verbs can be modified by adverbs or followed by prepositional phrases to provide additional information about the action.

• Example 10: She smiled warmly. (The adverb “warmly” modifies the intransitive verb “smiled.”)
• Example 11: They waited for the bus. (The prepositional phrase “for the bus” follows the intransitive verb “waited.”)

Types of transitive verbs

Transitive verbs can be categorized into several types based on the number and type of objects they take. The main types of transitive verbs include:

1. Monotransitive Verbs:

These verbs take one direct object. The direct object directly receives the action of the verb.

• Example: She ate (verb) pizza (direct object).
• Example: He wrote (verb) a letter (direct object).

More examples:

• The cat ate the mouse. – The verb “ate” is monotransitive because it takes a single direct object, “the mouse.” The mouse is the thing that is being eaten.
• The teacher gave the student a book. – The verb “gave” is monotransitive because it takes a single direct object, “a book.” The book is the thing that is being given.
• The artist painted a picture. – The verb “painted” is monotransitive because it takes a single direct object, “a picture.” The picture is the thing that is being painted.
• The writer wrote a book. – The verb “wrote” is monotransitive because it takes a single direct object, “a book.” The book is the thing that is being written.
• The singer sang a song. – The verb “sang” is monotransitive because it takes a single direct object, “a song.” The song is the thing that is being sung.

2. Ditransitive Verbs:

Ditransitive verbs take two objects: a direct object and an indirect object. The direct object receives the action of the verb, while the indirect object indicates the recipient or beneficiary of the action.

• Example: She gave (verb) him (indirect object) a book (direct object).
• Example: They sent (verb) us (indirect object) an invitation (direct object).

More examples:

• The mother gave the baby a cookie. – The verb “gave” is ditransitive because it takes two objects: a direct object, “a cookie,” and an indirect object, “the baby.” The baby is the one who receives the cookie.
• The teacher sent the student a note. – The verb “sent” is ditransitive because it takes two objects: a direct object, “a note,” and an indirect object, “the student.” The student is the one who receives the note.
• The manager told the employee the news. – The verb “told” is ditransitive because it takes two objects: a direct object, “the news,” and an indirect object, “the employee.” The employee is the one who receives the news.
• The doctor wrote the patient a prescription. – The verb “wrote” is ditransitive because it takes two objects: a direct object, “a prescription,” and an indirect object, “the patient.” The patient is the one who receives the prescription.
• The waiter brought the customer a menu. – The verb “brought” is ditransitive because it takes two objects: a direct object, “a menu,” and an indirect object, “the customer.” The customer is the one who receives the menu.

3. Tritransitive Verbs:

Tritransitive verbs take three objects: a direct object, an indirect object, and a prepositional object. The direct object receives the action, the indirect object indicates the recipient or beneficiary, and the prepositional object adds additional detail or location to the action.

• Example: He gave (verb) his sister (indirect object) a gift (direct object) on her birthday (prepositional object).
• Example: They offered (verb) the job (direct object) to me (indirect object) at the company (prepositional object).

More examples:

• The teacher gave the book to the student for his birthday. – The verb “gave” is tritansitive because it takes three objects: a direct object, “the book,” an indirect object, “the student,” and a prepositional phrase, “for his birthday.” The prepositional phrase provides additional information about the indirect object.
• The police sent the report to the judge for review. – The verb “sent” is tritansitive because it takes three objects: a direct object, “the report,” an indirect object, “the judge,” and a prepositional phrase, “for review.” The prepositional phrase provides additional information about the indirect object.
• The doctor prescribed the medicine to the patient for his pain. – The verb “prescribed” is tritansitive because it takes three objects: a direct object, “the medicine,” an indirect object, “the patient,” and a prepositional phrase, “for his pain.” The prepositional phrase provides additional information about the indirect object.
• The waiter brought the food to the table for the customers. – The verb “brought” is tritansitive because it takes three objects: a direct object, “the food,” an indirect object, “the table,” and a prepositional phrase, “for the customers.” The prepositional phrase provides additional information about the indirect object.

These different types of transitive verbs help convey various relationships and nuances in sentences. Monotransitive verbs are the most common, while ditransitive and tritransitive verbs are less frequent but allow for more complexity and specificity in communication.

How to use transitive verbs correctly?

Using transitive verbs correctly in English involves paying attention to verb tense and agreement, as well as understanding how transitive verbs can be used with prepositions. Let’s explore these aspects:

1. Verb Tense and Agreement:

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Transitive verbs must agree in tense and number with the subject of the sentence.
• Example: She eats (present tense) pizza for dinner. (Singular subject)
• Example: They ate (past tense) pizza for dinner. (Plural subject)
• Consistency in Tense: Maintain consistency in verb tense throughout the sentence.
• Example: He built (past tense) a sandcastle and admires (present tense) it now.
• Use of Appropriate Verb Forms: Choose the correct verb form based on the subject and tense.
• Example: She will paint (future tense) the walls next week.
• Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound Subjects: When the subject is compound (consisting of multiple nouns), ensure the verb agrees with the subject’s number.
• Example: Apples and oranges are (plural) fruits.

2. Using Transitive Verbs with Prepositions:

• Some transitive verbs are followed by prepositions to convey specific meanings or relationships.
• Example: She waited for (preposition) the bus to arrive. (Verbs like “wait for” require a preposition to complete their meaning.)
• Preposition Usage Consistency: Ensure that the preposition used after a transitive verb is appropriate for the verb’s meaning.
• Example: He apologized to (preposition) his friend for the mistake. (Correct)
• Example: He apologized about (incorrect preposition) the mistake. (Incorrect)
• Prepositional Object Agreement: The prepositional object should agree in number with the preposition’s usage.
• Example: She is interested in art (singular). (Correct – “in” is used with a singular object.)
• Example: They are interested in arts (plural). (Correct – “in” is used with a plural object.)
• Idiomatic Phrases: Be aware of idiomatic phrases where specific prepositions are used with certain transitive verbs.
• Example: She apologized for (idiomatic) her behavior at the party.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to transitive verbs, along with answers to help address additional doubts:

Explore more:

• State of Being Verbs in English
• Physical Verbs
• Determiners List in English
• Predeterminers in English

Additional Resources:

1. Transitive And Intransitive Verbs by Periwinkle
2. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs – Class 4th to 8th English Grammar by Magnet Brains
3. Transitive and intransitive verbs by Crown Academy of English
4. Transitive Verbs: Definition and Examples – Grammarly