How do you identify transitive and intransitive verbs?

1 Answer
Oct 1, 2016

See explanation.

Explanation:

Transitive verbs are those which can have direct objects (persons or things with which the action is connected).

Examples:

  • John is writing a letter. - here the verb is "to write"; while the word "letter" is an object because you can ask a question: What is John writing

  • We invited Mary to our wedding. - here verb "to invite" is transitive because it has an object "Mary"

Intransitive verbs are those which do not have objects.

Examples:

  • I came into the room. - verb "to come" is intransitive because this action does not have any object, there is only a subject "I"

  • Mike flew to Spain for holiday. - verb "to fly" is intransitive because there is no object.