Read the following sentences.
The batter hit the ball.
The bird sang.
What is the difference between the two verbs in the above sentences? At first thought, you may say the definition but forget about the meaning. Instead, concentrate on the grammar. How do the verbs differ grammatically?
Notice that the first sentence has two words following the verbhit. The second sentence doesnt have words after the verbsang. These two facts lead us to a discussion on transitive and intransitive verbs.
What are transitive verbs?
Transitive verbs are action verbs that have an object to receive that action. In the first sentence above, the direct objectballreceived the action of the verbhit.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs:
I baked some cookies.
I rode the bicycle.
I moved the chair.
I stitched a quilt.
All of the verbs in the above sentences are transitive because an object is receiving the action of the verb.
But what about the sentence The bird sang. Is the verb in that sentence a transitive verb? No, in this case the verbsangis an intransitive verb.
What are intransitive verbs?
Intransitive verbs areaction verbsbut unlike transitive verbs, the do not have an object receiving the action. Notice there are no words after the verbsang.
More examples of intransitive verbs:
I laughed.
I cried.
The book fell.
The horse galloped.
The sun set.
In all of the above cases the subject is performing the action of the verb and nothing is receiving the action.
