Transitive Verbs:
* Require a direct object. This means the action of the verb is directed towards something or someone.
* Answer the question "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb.
* Examples:
* "She threw the ball." (What did she throw? The ball.)
* "He wrote a letter." (What did he write? A letter.)
Intransitive Verbs:
* Do not require a direct object. The action is complete in itself.
* Don't answer the "What?" or "Whom?" questions.
* Examples:
* "The baby cried." (Cried what? Nothing. The action is complete.)
* "He sleeps soundly." (Sleeps what? Nothing. The action is complete.)
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Transitive Verb | Intransitive Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Requires a direct object | Yes | No |
| Answers "What?" or "Whom?" | Yes | No |
| Action complete in itself | No | Yes |
Important Notes:
* Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context. For example:
* "The dog ate the bone." (Transitive - ate what? the bone)
* "The dog ate quickly." (Intransitive - ate what? Nothing, the action is complete)
* Prepositional phrases can sometimes function as indirect objects, but the verb itself remains intransitive. For example:
* "He wrote to his mother." (The verb "wrote" is intransitive, the prepositional phrase "to his mother" provides context)
Understanding transitive and intransitive verbs is crucial for forming grammatically correct sentences and for effectively conveying your intended meaning.