Transitive Verb and Intransitive Verb This is part of the polytechnic English course “English (65712)”. As the polytechnic and HSC, English 2nd Paper curriculum is similar, this class will be helpful for those who are preparing their Class 11 English 2nd paper and Class 12 English 2nd Paper. This class is also useful for contestants preparing for competitive exams like BCS Preparation, University Admission, Bank Jobs, etc.
Transitive Verb and Intransitive Verb
What Is a Transitive Verb?
A transitive verb is a type of verb that needs an object to make complete sense of the action being performed by the subject.
Dictionary Definition of a Transitive Verb
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a transitive verb is a verb “having or needing an object”. The Collins Dictionary defines a transitive verb as “a verb accompanied by a direct object and from which a passive can be formed, as ‘deny’, ‘rectify’, ‘elect’”. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives a similar definition. According to them, a transitive verb is “characterized by having or containing a direct object”.
What Is an Intransitive Verb?
Since you now know what a transitive verb is, you will definitely be able to guess what an intransitive verb would be. There you go. You guessed it right. An intransitive verb is a verb that does not necessarily require an object to make sense of the action being performed by the subject in a sentence or context. However, there are some exceptional verbs that can perform the role of both a transitive verb and an intransitive verb.
Dictionary Definition of an Intransitive Verb
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an intransitive verb as a verb that is “characterized by not having or containing a direct object”. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an intransitive verb is a verb “having or needing no object”. “A verb that indicates a complete action without being accompanied by a direct object, as sit or lie, and, in English, that does not form a passive” is defined as an intransitive verb, according to the Collins Dictionary.
Transitive Verbs vs Intransitive Verbs
Let us look at the following table and try to comprehend the difference between a transitive verb and an intransitive verb.
| Transitive Verbs | Intransitive Verbs |
| Require an object to make complete sense of the action being referred to. | Does not require an object to complete the sentence or make sense of the action being referred to. |
| Transitive verbs occur in sentences that follow the SVO, SVIODO, SVOC, SVOA, ASVO patterns. | Intransitive verbs usually occur in sentences with the pattern ASVC, SV, SVC, ASVA and so on. |
| A sentence that uses a transitive verb can be changed into a passive voice. | A sentence that makes use of an intransitive verb cannot be altered to form the passive voice. |
| Transitive verbs are followed by an indirect object or a direct object. | Intransitive verbs are followed by either an adjunct or a complement. |
Details about Transitive Verb & Intransitive Verb – English Grammar :