What are Transitive Verbs? Definition, Usage, and Examples

You’re playing catch with a friend and you just say, "I threw," it sounds incomplete, right? What did you throw? A ball, a frisbee, a rock? In this case, "threw" is a transitive verb because it requires an object to make sense.

Let’s look at another example: "She baked." This sentence leaves us hanging. What did she bake? Cookies, a cake, or maybe a pie? If we say, "She baked a cake," the sentence now feels complete because "cake" is the object receiving the action of baking.

Transitive verbs are like connectors in sentences, linking the action to what’s being acted upon. Let's explore how to use them, and look at plenty of examples to help you understand this grammatical concept.

Transitive Verb Definition

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 

“A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning."

In other words, a transitive verb is an acting verb that must be followed by a noun or pronoun that receives the action.

A transitive verb cannot stand alone without transferring the action to something or someone. The action of the verb needs to be received by the direct object. 

Transitive Verb Examples 

Understanding transitive verbs is easier when we see them in sentences. Here are some examples of transitive verbs that illustrate how they work:

1. She bought a new car.

• Verb: bought
• Direct Object: a new car

2. They built a house last year.

• Verb: built
• Direct Object: a house

3. The chef prepared a delicious meal for the guests.

• Verb: prepared
• Direct Object: a delicious meal

Types of Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs can be categorized into different types based on how they relate to their direct objects. Here are the main types:

1. Direct Transitive Verbs

These verbs directly affect their objects without the need for prepositions. 

• For example: He ate an apple.

2. Indirect Transitive Verbs

These verbs require prepositions to connect with their objects. 

• For example: She spoke to him about the project.

3. Ditransitive Verbs

These verbs can take both a direct object and an indirect object. 

[subject] + [transitive verb]+ [indirect object] + [direct object]

• For example: She gave him a gift.
• (Indirect Object: him)

4. Complex Transitive Verbs

These verbs require both a direct object and a complement to complete their meaning. The complement further describes or renames the direct object. 

• For example: They elected him president.

(Complement: president)

How to Use Transitive Verbs in Sentences

Like all verbs, transitive verbs must agree with their subjects and be correctly conjugated for tense, mood, and voice.

Direct objects can be nouns, pronouns, phrases, or prepositional phrases that include them along with any modifiers such as articles, adjectives, and attributive nouns.

[subject] + [transitive verb] + [direct object]

1. Identify the Action

Determine the verb in the sentence that describes the action.

• Example: "She paints."

2. Provide a Direct Object

Ensure the action is directed towards someone or something by adding a direct object.

• Example: "She paints a picture."

3. Check for Completeness

Verify that the sentence makes sense and is complete with the direct object.

• Example: "She paints a picture" (complete) vs. "She paints" (incomplete without context).

Transitive Verb vs. Intransitive Verb

Verbs in English can be categorized into two main types: transitive verbs and intransitive verbs.

Here’s how they differ:

What are Ambitransitive Verbs?

Transitive verbs come in various forms, including irregular verbs and phrasal verbs. 

But a verb is called an ambitransitive verb when it can function both as transitive or intransitive, depending on how it is used in a sentence. This means that they can take a direct object but only sometimes require one to make sense.

Example: Eat

Transitive: "She ate an apple."

• Verb: ate
• Direct Object: an apple

Intransitive: "She ate quickly."

• Verb: ate
• (No direct object)

Transitive Verbs Worksheet

Test your knowledge with the help of these transitive verbs exercises.

Throughout this blog, we've explored the definition, identified examples, distinguished between transitive and intransitive verbs, and learned how to use them correctly in sentences. 

By practicing with exercises and examples, you can enhance your proficiency in using transitive verbs, ensuring your writing is both grammatically correct and engaging. 

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Continue Learning

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