Using transitive and intransitive verbs

Overview

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Focusing on actions and events

For teaching purposes, it is useful to distinguish between the different types of meanings which are represented by verbs. The basic meanings can be classified into four groups as follows. Typical verbs which represent these meanings are listed for each category:

This set of files will focus on verbs which represent actions and events, ie "action" verbs, and in particular will deal with the way transitive and intransitive verbs are used by speakers to represent actions and events.

Many Hong Kong coursebooks deal with transitive and intransitive verbs in a rather simple manner. However it should be noted that this aspect of English grammar does not involve a simple choice between two forms, but should be seen rather as central to the way English represents actions and events .

For further information about verbs which represent thinking, perceiving, liking (including disliking) and desiring, see Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring: Overview.

For further information about verbs which represent speech, see Using direct speech to quote words and ideas: Overview.

For further information about verbs which represent states, see Representing being and having: Overview.

Introduction
Focusing on actions and events
Subject, verb and object
Verbs which can be used transitively and intransitively with the same meaning
Files relating to transitive and intransitive verbs