Using transitive and intransitive verbs
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Teaching implications | page 3 of 7 |
Deciding whether a verb is transitive or intransitive
Most verbs can be used in both transitive and intransitive clauses; however, there are a few verbs in English which can be used only transitively or intransitively, and understandably students sometimes have problems knowing when such restrictions apply.
A useful test is the "full-stop" test. Choose a simple subject such as He and put the verb into the past tense, then put a full-stop. If your sentence doesn't make sense, then the verb is transitive and needs to be followed by a direct object:
Roger hit.
However, if you have made a meaningful sentence then the verb is intransitive:
Jenny smiled.
For further information about transitive verbs, see 
Using
transitive and intransitive verbs: What is a transitive verb?
For further information about intransitive verbs, see Using
transitive and intransitive verbs: What is an intransitive verb?
For further information about the reasons why most verbs can be both transitive and
intransitive, see Using transitive and intransitive
verbs: Verbs which can be used transitively and intransitively.
Introduction
Deciding whether a verb is transitive or intransitive
