Intransitive verbs

Kevin May 9, 2016 7:48

Hi Graham,

Action verbs that cannot be followed by a direct object are intransitive. Verbs such as go, lie, arrive, sit, die, and sneeze, are always intransitive; they can not be followed by a direct object. Action verbs that are followed by an object are transitive verbs.

There are verbs that can be followed by objects but without requiring one. These verbs can both be used as transitive and intransitive verbs.

Common intransitive verbs: arrive, appear, collapse, belong, collide, die, disappear, emerge, fall, exist, go, nest laugh, happen, vanish, sleep, respond, rise, roost, nest, occur, remain.
Intransitive verbs do not have a passive form because they cannot take a direct object.

Verbs that can be transitive and intransitive: stand (stand a lamp), sit (sit a child), demonstrate, agree, run, play, walk, and eat.

TK Chan February 7, 2016 2:29

Verb	Transitive	Intransitive
move	Could you move* your car please?*	The trees were moving* in the breeze*.
start	Taylor was found guilty of starting* the fire.*	The match starts* at 3 p.m*.
change	Marriage hasn’t changed* her.*	The area’s changed* greatly in the last decade*.
close	*Close* your eyes; I’ve got a surprise for you.	Most shops here close* at 5.30 p.m.*
open	*Open* the window; it’s too hot in here!	The museum opens* at 10 a.m.*
stop	Greg tried to stop* her from leaving*.	When the rain stopped, we went for a walk.
do	Have you done* your coursework?*	Joe’s doing* well in his new job.*
set	Kate set* a chair next to the bed.*	The sun was setting* and a red glow filled the sky.*
run	Michelle used to run* a restaurant*.	The path ran* over the hill.*
live	Our cat lived* till he was 10.*	He was living* a life of luxury abroad*.
wash	Have you washed* your hands?*	I washed, dressed, and went out.
write	*Write* your name here.	Kevin couldn’t read or write. Source:http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/transitive-and-intransitive...

Graham Burman February 2, 2016 1:54

Kevin,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have managed to answer my own question to some degree but your extra information is very useful.

Thanks very much.

Graham

TK Chan > Graham Burman February 7, 2016 2:21

I think Kevin was being too nice to you. I know we should only answer your question first and then give extra information.

ESL Discussion

Intransitive verbs

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