Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Transitive Verbs A transitive verb expresses an action that moves from a doer to a receiver aka a DO. EVERY transitive verb has a receiver aka DO. If it does not, it is intransitive. Ex. Eli Whitney created the cotton gin.

Intransitive Verbs An intransitive verb has NO receiver of its action aka NO DO. An intransitive verb maybe followed by an adverb of prep phrase. Ex. Todd Burpo wrote about his son’s experience. Ex. His family struggled. Ex. The road takes you south.

Transitive & Intransitive Verbs Some verbs will be both transitive and intransitive. It depends on how the verb is used in the sentence. Ex. Madge ate the cookies. Ate = transitive because cookies is the DO. Ex. We ate at seven o’clock last night. Ate = intransitive because it does not have a DO. The verb is followed by a prep phrase.