Introduction
First things first! What do transitive and intransitive mean?
These terms relate to verbs in English. In simple terms,
- Transitive refers to a verb that requires a direct object (DO) to complete its meaning.
- Intransitive refers to a verb that indicates a complete action without a direct object (DO), like sit or lie, and that in English does not have a passive voice form. It either does not require a DO or it cannot have a DO.
Student: “That sounds simple enough, Teacher Lee, but what does it really mean to me as a student? Can you give me some examples?”
Examples of Transitive Verbs
Direct objects (DOs) are underlined for clarity.
- See – I see him. I see it. I see that boy.
- Say – I said it. I said that I feel ill today.
- Beat – I beat him! You should beat the bushes to scare away the snakes.
Examples of Intransitive Verbs
- Sit – Please sit. I sat down. (“down” is an adverb, not a DO)
- Go – Please go. You wish to go where? (“where” is an adverb, not a DO)
- Talk – He can’t talk. We talked for a long time. (“for” is a preposition, not a DO)
- Run – That boy can run fast! (“fast” is an adverb, not a DO)
- Fly – A bird can fly. The airplane is flying to India. (“to” is a preposition, not a DO)
Most Verbs Can Be Transitive or Intransitive
- Fly (intransitive) – Superman can fly. (no DO)
- Fly (transitive) – Superman can fly me to the other side of the world.
(He can carry me while flying. “Me” is DO.) - See (intransitive) – I see. He is blind; he can’t see. (no DO)
- See (transitive) – I see the boy. I see what you mean.
- Say (intransitive) – He said so. (“so” is an adverb, not DO)
- Say (transitive) – He said no. He said that he didn’t want to go.
How Do I Know If a Verb is Transitive or Intransitive?
The dictionary will tell you! Let’s take “discuss” as an example. I’ll use the Free Dictionary for this example. Here is an excerpt. I have highlighted some key points:
- The verb can be transitive(v.tr.) or intransitive (v.intr.)
- Definitions and sample phrases are included.
- Some other forms of the verb are shown (discussed, discussing, discusses).
Now let’s take “fall” as an example. I’ll use the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for this example. Here is an excerpt. I have highlighted some key points:
- This verb is intransitive only. There is no “transitive verb” section.
- Definitions and sample phrases are included.
- Some other forms of the verb are shown (fell/fallen/falling).
Passive Voice
Transitive verbs can have passive voice. Intransitive verbs cannot.
- Discuss: We discussed the topic. The topic was discussed.
(DO in active voice becomes the subject in passive voice.)
. - Fall: I fell. (We cannot say “I am fallen” or “I was fallen”.)
(Note that “fell” already applies to the subject. Passive voice is not possible or necessary for this verb.)
Self-Assessment (What Did I Learn?)
Instructions: In the sentences below:
(a) Underline the direct object (DO) if there is one; otherwise, state “No DO”.
(b) State if the verb is transitive (tr) or intransitive (intr).
(c) If a sentence is grammatically WRONG, then indicate WRONG.
Hints: Remember that a DO may be a noun, pronoun, or a noun clause. Don’t confuse an indirect object (IO) with a direct object (DO). Remember that only a transitive verb can have passive voice. Good luck!
- I saw him yesterday.
- She said that we should not worry about her.
- The building fell due to an earthquake.
- Tell me.
- Say me.
- Talk to me.
- Write me a letter.
- This letter was written yesterday.
- What did you say?
- It is raining cats and dogs.
- I was talked.
Images are missing.
Thanks, Lin! Now I just have to figure what images they were…