Transitive/Intransitive Verbs

Module 4 Notes

Examples from: www.dailygrammar.com

The Function of Nounsthis will help you understand verb

• Subject – who/what is doing something in the sentence

• Objects:– Direct Object – follows a verb & receives the action of

the verb– Indirect Object – appears between the verb and the

direct object & tells who or what the action is done for– Object of the preposition – the noun that follows a

preposition– Predicate noun – follows a linking verb & renames the

subject.

A few definitions

• Transitive – verbs that have subjects or objects that receive the action. They are either active or passive (this is usually called voice)

• Intransitive – verbs that have no receiver of the action. They are either complete or linking.

• Linking verbs – also called state-of-being verbs(am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been); some

others like seem, smell, grow depending on usage.

Transitive Active Verbs

• These verbs have a direct object (noun/pronoun) that receives the action of the verb.– The hikers reached the mountain by nightfall.• What was reached?

– They prepared their own meals that night.• What was prepared?

– Last week the family painted the house.• What was painted?

Transitive Passive• In these sentences the subject of the sentence

receives the action. Note that each sentence has a helping verb.– Yesterday Grandma was hit by a car.• What/who was hit?

– My former classmates were seen at the reunion.• What/who were seen?

– The lamp for the study was broken on the way home.• What/who was broken?

Intransitive Linking Verbs• These verbs link the subject to a predicate

nominative or a predicate adjective.– The radio was my favorite gift at Christmas.• Note that the subject and object can be reversed

without affecting the meaning of the sentence.• My favorite gift at Christmas was the radio.

– Jay will be the winner of most games.– The meal tasted wonderful to everyone.• Note that tasted can also be a transitive verb.• The chef tasted the soup before serving it to customers.

– What is being tasted?

Intransitive Complete• These are all the verbs that don’t fit into the

other classifications. Generally, nothing is receiving action. They are often followed by a prepositional phrase.– Mother looked for her lost shoes.– The sea waves lapped at the levy.– There are many desserts for the party• Note that there is a pronoun that introduces the

subject. • Many desserts are for the party. (sounds awkward)

Practice Directions

• Use the white boards and markers• Read each sentence. • Write which verb type you think is present

(DON’T SHARE)!• When asked, hold up your board, so that I can

see your answers.• Then I’ll reveal the correct answer and why.

We started our new lessons today.

We started our new lessons today.

Transitive activelessons is the direct object

The game started at noon.

The game started at noon.

Intransitive completeNo receiver of the action

Mr. Paul is our math teacher.

Mr. Paul is our math teacher.

Intransitive linkingteacher is a predicate

nominative teacher can trade places with Mr. Paul

Our math teacher is Mr. Paul.

The relish tray was done by the two sisters.

The relish tray was done by the two sisters.

Transitive passivetray is the receiver of the

action and the subject

The meal is now complete.

The meal is now complete.

Intransitive linkingcomplete is the predicate

adjective