Action Verbs: Transitive verb vs Intransitive verb
Action verbs show action. They create an image of the happening in your head. There are two types of action verbs: Transitive verb and Intransitive verb.
Transitive Verb
This is one of the most commonly used type of verb. The verb, in a sentence, that has a direct object is known as transitive verb. The verb should have something on which it is performed. The sentences containing transitive verbs can also be converted from active voice to passive vice.
Examples of transitive verb:
The batsman hit the ball hard.
She walked the streets alone.
In the first example, we can see that the verb hit has a direct object ball. The sentence can also be converted into passive voice: the batsman hit the ball.
The same case is with the second sentence. The verb walked has direct object streets and the sentence can be converted into passive voice: The streets were walked by her, alone.
Intransitive Verb
The verb in a sentence that does not have a direct object is known as intransitive verb. The sentences containing intransitive verbs cannot be converted from active voice to passive voice.
Examples of intransitive verb:
The lion cub sleeps.
The house is flawed.
In both of the above examples, there is no direct object. Both cannot be converted into passive voice too. So, the verbs; sleeps and flawed are intransitive.
- Most verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively. For example:
The child rings the bell.
Here the verb ‘rings’ has a direct object and is used transitively.
The bell rings loudly.
Here the verb ‘rings’ does not have a direct object and is used intransitively.
More Examples:
I stopped the car. (Transitively)
The car stopped suddenly. (Intransitively)
There are some verbs such as: go, sleep, die, fall, etc, which show an action that cannot be done to anything or anyone. Hence, these verbs can never be used Transitively.