Transitive Verbs

First and foremost, a transitive verb is an action verb.

Second, it requires a direct object to complete its meaning in the sentence. In other words, the action of the verb is transferred to the object directly.

To determine whether a verb is transitive, ask whether the action is done to someone or something. Does the subject act upon someone or something? Or put another way, does someone or something receive the action of the verb. If it does, then the verb is transitive and the person or thing that receives its action is the direct object.

[In the following examples, the transitive verb is bold and the direct object is underlined. ]

1. The judge sentences the man to five years in prison.
   1. The subject (the judge) applies an action (sentences) to a direct object (the man).
2. The attorney has revealed the bad news.
   1. The subject (the attorney) has transferred an action (revealed) to a direct object (news).
3. The defendant could not provide an alibi.
   1. The subject (the defendant) will transmit an action (could provide) to a direct object (an alibi).