Using transitive and intransitive verbs
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Verbs which can be used transitively and intransitively | page 1 of 6 |
Introduction
A transitive verb is any verb which needs to be followed by a direct object, eg Roger hit Piggy. An intransitive verb is any verb which cannot be followed by a direct object, eg Piggy fell.
By presenting verbs in these files as either transitive or intransitive, it might appear that all verbs are either one or the other; however, there are very few verbs in English which can only be used transitively or intransitively. Most verbs can be used in both transitive and intransitive clauses.
This file gives details of the main reasons why most verbs can be both transitive and intransitive; it also offers a list of verbs whose meaning changes according to whether or not they take an object.
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Introduction
Reasons why verbs can be both transitive and intransitive
