Using transitive and intransitive verbs
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What is an intransitive verb? |
page 3 of 5 |
A list of verbs which are normally used intransitively 
Intransitive verbs fall into two groups:
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those which are typically used by themselves with no adverbial  after them, eg
She fainted.
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those which are normally followed by an adverbial, especially one
beginning with a particular preposition, eg I’m investing in the stock market. |
The following verbs do not usually require an adverbial:
Verbs
involving (involuntary) bodily actions
| bleed |
blush |
cough |
die |
| doze |
faint |
fidget |
flinch |
| frown |
itch |
shiver |
sleep |
| smile |
weep |
yawn |
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Verbs involving sounds
| cry |
growl |
howl |
laugh |
| moan |
roar |
scream |
sigh |
| snarl |
sneeze |
snore |
snort |
| sob |
squeak |
squeal |
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Verbs involving change of state
| cease |
collapse |
decay |
deteriorate |
| disintegrate |
droop |
evaporate |
expire |
| fall |
flourish |
prosper |
subside |
| wilt |
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Verbs involving coming and going
| advance |
arise |
arrive |
depart |
| disappear |
pause |
recede |
rise |
| vanish |
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The following verbs do usually require an adverbial:
Verbs involving movement
| come |
crawl |
creep |
drift |
| flow |
gallop |
glide |
go |
| hurtle |
plunge |
run |
soar |
| spring |
travel |
walk |
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Miscellaneous verbs
| alternate |
associate |
bet |
cater |
| contend |
contribute |
differentiate |
emerge |
| engage |
flirt |
grapple |
insure |
| invest |
lead |
liaise |
opt |
| pay |
plot |
profit |
react |
| spring |
spy |
strive |
teem |
| trample |
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Introduction
A definition of intransitive verbs
A list of verbs which are normally used intransitively
Choice of active or passive voice with intransitive verbs
Passive voice with intransitive phrasal verbs
