Table of Contents
Verbs are the key part of a sentence as they show actions, events, or states of being. In English, verbs are divided into two main types: transitive and intransitive. The structure and meaning of a sentence change depending on the verb used. Verbs describe actions or feelings and are an essential part of any language, including English.Verbs are an essential part of every sentence. They help show action or describe a state of being. But did you know that there are two main types of action verbs? These are transitive and intransitive verbs. Understanding the difference between them will make your writing clearer and more interesting. This guide will explain what transitive and intransitive verbs are, provide examples, and offer a worksheet to help practice identifying them.
What Are Verbs?
A verb is a word that shows an action or a state of being. Verbs are often the most important part of a sentence because they tell us what the subject is doing.
Example:
- The cat runs.
- She is happy.
What is a Transitive Verb?
A transitive verb is a verb that needs an object to complete its meaning. The action of the verb is done to someone or something. Without an object, the sentence won’t make sense.
Example of Transitive Verbs:
- I bought a book.
(The verb “bought” needs the object “book” to complete the meaning.) - They sent a letter.
(The verb “sent” needs the object “letter” to complete the action.)
In these examples, the action (bought, sent) affects the object (book, letter).
What is an Intransitive Verb?
An intransitive verb is a verb that does not need an object to make sense. The action happens, but it doesn’t affect something directly.
Example of Intransitive Verbs:
- The baby cries.
(The verb “cries” doesn’t need an object to complete the meaning.) - Birds fly.
(The verb “fly” makes sense on its own without needing an object.)
Intransitive verbs don’t need anything else in the sentence to make sense.
| Check More Worksheet Class-wise |
| Worksheet for Class 1 |
| Worksheet for Class 2 |
| Worksheet for Class 3 |
| Worksheet for Class 4 |
| Worksheet for Class 5 |
| Worksheet for Class 6 |
| Worksheet for Class 7 |
| Worksheet for Class 8 |
| Worksheet for Class 9 |
| Worksheet for Class 10 |
Key Differences Between Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
| Feature | Transitive Verb | Intransitive Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Requires an Object? | Yes | No |
| Example | She wrote a letter. | The dog barked. |
| Action Affects? | Affects someone or something | Does not affect a direct object |
How to Identify a Transitive Verb
- Find the verb in the sentence.
- Ask the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
- If the answer is there, it’s a transitive verb.
Example:
- She cooked dinner.
- Ask: Cooked what?
- Answer: Dinner.
- So, “cooked” is a transitive verb.
How to Identify an Intransitive Verb
- Find the verb in the sentence.
- Ask the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
- If there’s no answer, it’s an intransitive verb.
Example:
- They laughed.
- Ask: Laughed what?
- There’s no answer, so “laughed” is an intransitive verb.
Worksheet: Practice Identifying Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Instructions:
Read the following sentences and determine whether the verbs are transitive or intransitive. Write “T” for transitive and “I” for intransitive.
- The children played in the park.
- She painted a beautiful picture.
- They ran quickly.
- I ate an apple.
- The flowers bloomed in the garden.
- He threw the ball.
- The sun rises in the east.
- We watched a movie.
- The cat slept peacefully.
- She danced gracefully.
Answers to the Worksheet:
- The children played in the park. → I (intransitive)
- She painted a beautiful picture. → T (transitive)
- They ran quickly. → I (intransitive)
- I ate an apple. → T (transitive)
- The flowers bloomed in the garden. → I (intransitive)
- He threw the ball. → T (transitive)
- The sun rises in the east. → I (intransitive)
- We watched a movie. → T (transitive)
- The cat slept peacefully. → I (intransitive)
- She danced gracefully. → I (intransitive)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming all action verbs need an object: Not every verb that shows action needs an object. Some actions are complete on their own.
- Confusing adverbs with objects: Adverbs like “quickly” or “gracefully” describe how the action happens, but they aren’t objects.
- Forgetting that some verbs can be both: Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on how they are used in a sentence. For example:
- Transitive: She runs a business.
- Intransitive: She runs every morning.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Worksheet FAQs
Can a verb be both transitive and intransitive?
Yes! Some verbs can be both, depending on how they are used in the sentence. For example, 'open' is transitive in 'I opened the door,' but intransitive in 'The door opened.'
What is an object in a sentence?
An object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. In 'She reads a book,' 'book' is the object.
Are all action verbs transitive?
No. Some action verbs, like 'run' or 'laugh,' don’t need an object to make sense and are intransitive.
Can a sentence have both a transitive and intransitive verb?
Yes. For example, in 'She ate and then slept,' 'ate' is transitive, and 'slept' is intransitive.
How do I know if a verb is transitive or intransitive?
Look for an object. If the verb affects something, it’s transitive. If the action stands alone, it’s intransitive.
Are linking verbs transitive or intransitive?
Linking verbs, like 'is' or 'seems,' are neither transitive nor intransitive because they don’t show action. They connect the subject to more information.
