What are 3 verbs that can only be used as transitive verbs and 3 that can only be used as intransitive verbs?
1 Answer
Nov 4, 2016
Kick, want, and throw are examples of transitive verbs.
Arrive, go, and walk are examples of intransitive verbs.
Explanation:
A transitive verb is one that describes an action or activity and that has a direct object.
The easiest way to find out if a verb has a direct object is to ask the question whom or what after the verb. For example:
- Robert threw the ball. (Robert threw what? Robert threw the ball. 'The ball' is a direct object to the verb threw, hence the verb is transitive.)
- Priya kicks her brother when he teases her. (Priya kicks whom? Priya kicks her brother. 'Her brother' is a direct object to the verb kicks, hence the verb is transitive.)
An intransitive verb is one that describes an action or activity and that does not have a direct object.
If there is no possibility of the question whom or what being answered after the verb, the verb will be intransitive. For example:
- Mr Patel walks an hour daily after dinner.
- Jeanne arrived home tired after her field trip.
Note that there are some verbs which can function as transitive or intransitive depending on whether there is a direct object or not. An example:
- Flavian eats moderately to control his weight. (No direct object, hence 'eats' is intransitive.)
- Marcia eats pasta almost every day. (Maria eats what? Maria eats pasta. 'Pasta' is a direct object to the verb eats, hence 'eats' is transitive.)