Transitive and Intransitive Verbs.

Let's Learn About Verbs: Transitive & Intransitive!

Hi little grammar explorers! Today, we're going to learn about special kinds of action words called verbs. Think of verbs as the 'doing' words in a sentence, like jump, eat, or sing. Sometimes, a verb needs another word to tell us what or who is receiving the action. For example, if you say "I throw...", we need to know what you throw – maybe "I throw a ball." Other times, the verb makes sense all by itself, like "Birds fly." Learning about these two types of verbs – Transitive and Intransitive – will help us make super clear and awesome sentences! Let's dive in!

Understanding Verbs and Objects

Read the following sentences:

Sam eats mangoes.
Question: What does Sam eat? Answer: ‘mangoes’
Rahim kicked the ball.
Question: What did Rahim kick? Answer: ‘the ball’

The words ‘mangoes’ and ‘the ball’ are the objects of the verbs ‘eats’ and ‘kicked’. The object is the thing or person that receives the action of the verb.

The verbs which have objects are called ‘Transitive Verbs’.

Now, read these sentences:

The sun shines brightly.
Question: The sun shines ... What? Answer: No Answer (It doesn't shine *something* in this sentence).
Water boils at 100°C.
Question: Water boils ... What? Answer: No Answer (It doesn't boil *something* here).

The verbs which do not have an object, and make sense on their own or with extra information (like 'brightly' or 'at 100°C'), are called ‘Intransitive Verbs’.

I. Transitive Verbs

Transitive verb is a verb that has an object (something or someone that receives the action).

Here are some examples. The object is highlighted:

  • Sam eats mangoes.
  • Please pass the salt.
  • You must obey the elders.
  • They sing songs in the assembly.
  • The porter pulled a trolley.
  • The Government increased the price of petrol.
  • The principal ordered the boys to be silent.
  • I saw the accident with my own eyes.
  • The cat chased the mouse.
  • The shelf holds three books.
  • Latha sings a song.
  • The children like pictures.
  • Arjun reads a book.
  • Sheela writes a letter.
  • Time changes all things.
  • Shreya likes flowers.
  • The driver stopped the train.
  • Anuska spoke the truth.
  • She likes music.
  • I feel severe pain in my leg.

II. Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verb is a verb which does not have an object. It makes sense by itself or with words that describe how, when, or where the action happens.

Here are some examples:

  • The sun shines brightly.
  • Water boils at 100°C.
  • Don’t play here.
  • Stars twinkle at night.
  • The library opens at 10 a.m.
  • The water level steadily increased in the dam.
  • The pencil broke into two.
  • The cat slid quietly under the desk.
  • I came last night.
  • The national flag is hoisted.
  • The sweets are distributed.
  • All are drawing.
  • Meena is singing.
  • The boys are playing in the ground.
  • Nithya Shree sang nicely.
  • Let us go.
  • Stalin has come here.
  • The baby seems happy.
  • Johnny became a soldier.
  • The bell rang loudly.

Difficult Words & Simple Meanings

Verb:
An action word or a 'doing' word (e.g., run, eat, think, is).
Object (in grammar):
The person or thing that receives the action of the verb (e.g., in "He kicked the ball," 'the ball' is the object).
Transitive Verb:
A verb that NEEDS an object to make sense (e.g., "She carries..." – carries what? She carries a bag).
Intransitive Verb:
A verb that DOES NOT need an object to make sense (e.g., "The bird sings." We don't need to ask "sings what?").
Mangoes:
Sweet, juicy fruits that grow in warm places.
Kicked:
Hit something with your foot.
Brightly:
Shining with a lot of light.
Boils:
When a liquid gets very hot and bubbles.
Obey:
To do what someone tells you to do.
Elders:
People who are older than you, like parents or grandparents.
Assembly:
A gathering of people, often at school.
Porter:
A person whose job is to carry luggage, especially at a station or hotel.
Trolley:
A small cart with wheels, used for carrying things.
Government:
The group of people who rule a country or state.
Principal:
The head teacher of a school.
Accident:
An unexpected event that can cause harm or damage.
Chased:
Ran after someone or something to try and catch them.
Severe:
Very strong or very bad (like severe pain).
Twinkle:
To shine with a light that seems to quickly flash on and off.
Steadily:
Happening in a smooth, regular, and continuous way.
Hoisted:
Lifted up, usually with ropes or a machine (like a flag on a pole).
Distributed:
Given out to several people.
Seems:
Appears to be; gives an impression of being something (e.g., "The baby seems happy" means the baby looks happy).
Loudly:
Making a lot of noise.
Labels: