Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

​A transitive verb has two characteristics.

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First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like kick, want, paint, write, eat, clean, etc.

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Second, it must have a direct object, something or someone who receives the action of the verb.

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​*Add "what" or "whom" at the end. If there is something to answer the question, it is Transitive. NOT "WHERE".

​This is the pattern for transitive verbs:

Subject + Action Verb + Direct Object

​Sylvia kicked Juan under the table.

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Kicked = transitive verb; Juan = direct object (the person that Sylvia, the subject, kicked).

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• ​This is transitive because the verb, kicked, occurs to a thing or person.

​An intransitive verb has two characteristics.

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First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, die, etc.

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Second, unlike a transitive verb, it will not have a direct object receiving the action.

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​Huffing and puffing, we arrived at the classroom door with only seven seconds to spare.

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• This is intransitive ​because the verb, arrived, isn't being performed on/to anything or anyone.

​It answers "where", but not "what" or "whom"

​It answers "where", but not "what" or "whom"

​What does the verb answer?

​It answers "where", but not "what" or "whom"

​What does the verb answer?

​What does the verb answer?

​It answers "where", but not "what" or "whom"

​It answers "where", but not "what" or "whom"

​What does the verb answer?

​What does the verb answer?