A transitive verb has an object. An intransitive verb does not have an object. Study the examples given below.

• They blamed him for their failure.

Now ask the question ‘They blamed whom?’ Him. That is the answer. Here him is the object of the verb blamed. Since the verb blame has an object, it is a transitive verb. Some verbs can only be used transitively. That means they must always have an object.

Some verbs never have an object.

• She cried bitterly.
• She cried whom? No answer
• She cried what? No answer

Obviously, the verb cried has no object. Hence, it is an intransitive verb. Some verbs are always intransitive. That means they can never have an object. However, most verbs can be used either transitively or intransitively.

Worksheet 1

State whether the verbs in the following sentences are transitive or intransitive.

1. They retained the trophy.

2. I met him there yesterday.

3. I went there yesterday.

4. She asked me a question.

5. I did a lot of reading yesterday.

6. They congratulated me for winning the prize.

7. The winners were congratulated.

8. The police arrested the criminal.

9. The police are interrogating the suspects.

10. The door closed with a bang.

11. He bore the pain bravely.

12. The soldiers fought valiantly.

13. The brave soldiers fought the enemy.

14. We watched them perform.

15. I went to a concert yesterday.

Answers

The verbs are bolded and objects are underlined.

1. They retained the trophy. (Transitive; object – the trophy)

2. I met him there yesterday. (Transitive; object – him)

3. I went there yesterday. (Transitive; no object)

4. She asked me a question. (Transitive; direct object – question; indirect object – me)

5. I did a lot of reading yesterday. (Transitive; object – a lot of reading)

6. They congratulated me for winning the prize. (Transitive; object – me)

7. The winners were congratulated. (Intransitive; no object)

8. The police arrested the criminal. (Transitive; object – the criminal)

9. The police are interrogating the suspects. (Transitive; object – the suspects)

10. The door closed with a bang. (Intransitive)

11. He bore the pain bravely. (Transitive; object – pain)

12. The soldiers fought valiantly. (Intransitive; no object)

13. The brave soldiers fought the enemy. (Transitive; object – the enemy)

14. We watched them perform. (Transitive; object – them)

15. I went to a concert yesterday. (Intransitive; no object)

Worksheet 2

State whether the verbs in the following sentences are transitive or intransitive.

1. I watched an interesting movie yesterday.

2. She arrived in the morning.

3. They left yesterday.

4. The trains are running late.

5. I baked a cake yesterday.

6. They appreciated the novelty of my idea.

7. Her books are selling well.

8. They are selling thousands of copies of her book.

9. The news disappointed us.

10. We were disappointed to hear the news.

11. I have invited all of my friends.

12. He asked an interesting question.

13. I have learned my lesson.

14. She practices every day.

15. I went to school.

16. They went after him.

17. She smiled at me.

18. I took several hours to finish the job.

19. Take this file with you.

20. He ran at full speed and won the race.

Answers

1. watched – transitive; object – movie (you can also write an interesting movie; I am mentioning only the head word in that noun phrase

2. arrived – intransitive

3. left – intransitive

4. are running – intransitive

5. baked – transitive; object – cake

6. appreciated – transitive; object – novelty

7. are selling – intransitive

8. are selling – transitive; object – thousands of copies of her book

9. disappointed – transitive; object – us

10. were disappointed – intransitive; no object

11. have invited – transitive; object – friends

12. asked – transitive; object – question

13. have learned – transitive; object – lesson

14. practices – intransitive

15. went – intransitive; no object

16. went – intransitive; no object

17. smiled – intransitive; no object

18. take – transitive; object – hours

19. take – transitive; object – file

20. ran – intransitive; won – transitive; object – race

Worksheet 3

A transitive verb takes an object. An intransitive verb does not have an object.

1. A class usually has 30 students.

2. She always carries an umbrella.

3. I read an interesting story yesterday.

4. The dog barked loudly.

5. The child was sleeping soundly.

6. Brown bears eat insects and fruits.

7. Birds live in nests.

8. Panthers climb trees with their short and strong legs.

9. She sat on the chair.

10. They took the child to hospital.

11. Mother laid the table.

12. I want a job.

Answers

1. has – intransitive

2. carries – verb; object – umbrella

3. read – transitive; object – story

4. barked – intransitive

5. was sleeping – intransitive

6. eat – transitive; object – insects and fruits

7. Birds live in nests. (live – intransitive)

8. climb – transitive; object – trees

9. sat – intransitive

10. took – transitive; object – the child

11. laid – transitive; object – the table

12. want – transitive; object – a job