A verb can be transitive or intransitive. A transitive verb takes an object whereas an intransitive verb does not take an object. Most verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively.
State whether the verb is used transitively or intransitively in the following sentences.
1. The wind is moving the curtain.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
2. The wind is blowing fiercely.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
3. Somebody opened the door.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
4. Suddenly the door opened.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
5. He slammed the door shut.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
6. Your book is selling well.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
7. The boy went to the park.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
8. He can’t stand his mother-in-law.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
9. I like climbing mountains.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
10. I am going to buy her some flowers.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
11. I have invited my friends.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
12. I don’t sleep very well.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
13. She sat on the bench.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
14. We have lost.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
15. Our team lost the match.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
16. The car may need a new battery.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
17. We ought to visit them this weekend.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
18. We can no longer wait.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
19. She was upset.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
20. It is raining.
(Transitive/Intransitive; Verb: _________________; Object: ________________)
Answers
1. Transitive; verb – is moving; object – the curtain
2. Intransitive; verb – is blowing; no object
3. Transitive; verb – opened; object – the door
4. Intransitive; verb – opened; no object
5. Transitive; verb – slammed; object – the door
6. Intransitive; verb – is selling; no object
7. Intransitive; verb – went; no object
8. Transitive; verb – stand; object – his mother-in-law
9. Transitive; verb – like; object – climbing mountains
10. Transitive; verb – buy; objects – her, flowers
11. Transitive; verb – invited; object – my friends
12. Intransitive; verb – sleep; no object
13. Intransitive; verb – sat; no object
14. Intransitive; verb – have lost; no object
15. Transitive; verb – lost; object – the match
16. Transitive; verb – may need; object – a battery
17. Transitive; verb – ought to visit; object – them
18. Intransitive; verb – can wait; no object
19. Intransitive; verb – was; no object
20. Intransitive; verb – is; no object
Transitive and intransitive verbs worksheet 2
State whether the verb is used transitively or intransitively in the following sentences.
1. She raised her voice against injustice.
2. They took the child to the doctor.
3. I have received the parcel.
4. She worked hard to earn more money.
5. He felt marvelous after sleeping for hours.
6. They tilled the soil.
7. The teacher rebuked the boy.
8. The audience were enthralled by the performance.
9. She asked a difficult question.
10. The children laughed hard.
11. I drew a picture on the wall.
12. They are painting the walls.
13. The painting looks beautiful.
14. A dark figure appeared in the hallway.
15. The news disappointed us.
16. She showed me the photo.
17. They seemed unhappy.
18. We cannot support them.
19. She happily danced into the room.
20. Don’t drop the vase.
Answers
1. She raised her voice against injustice. (Transitive verb – raised; object – voice)
2. They took the child to the doctor. (Transitive verb – took; object – the child)
3. I have received the parcel. (Transitive verb – have received; object – the parcel)
4. She worked hard to earn more money. (Intransitive verb – worked)
5. He felt marvelous after sleeping for hours. (Intransitive verb – felt)
6. They tilled the soil. (Transitive verb – tilled; object – the soil)
7. The teacher rebuked the boy. (Transitive verb – rebuked; object – the boy)
8. The audience were enthralled by the performance. (Intransitive verb – were enthralled)
9. She asked a difficult question. (Transitive verb – asked; object – question)
10. The children laughed hard. (Intransitive verb – laughed)
11. I drew a picture on the wall. (Transitive verb – drew; object – a picture)
12. They are painting the walls. (Transitive verb – are painting; object – the walls)
13. The painting looks beautiful. (Intransitive verb – looks)
14. A dark figure appeared in the hallway. (Intransitive verb – appeared)
15. The news disappointed us. (Transitive verb – disappointed; object – us)
16. She showed me the photo. (Transitive verb – showed; indirect object – me; direct object – the photo)
17. They seemed unhappy. (Intransitive verb – seemed)
18. We cannot support them. (Transitive verb – support; object – them)
19. She happily danced into the room. (Intransitive verb – danced)
20. Don’t drop the vase. (Transitive verb – drop; object – the vase)
