Transitive Verb Examples and Definition

Transitive Verb Examples and Definition

Transitive Verbs in English

In English grammar rules, verbs are divided into two general groups. We will examine the transitive verbs in this article for the verbs that are divided into transitive verbs and intransitive verbs. Being transitive is briefly defined as verbs that have an object. To explain this situation more clearly and in detail, the effect on the verb must belong to an object, that is, the action and the situation on the verb must be on an object. In this way, the verb is called transitive.

How to Understand If a Verb is Transitive?

A simple method is used to find out if a sentence has a transitive verb. “What” and “Who” questions are asked to the verb in the sentence and the answer is checked whether it is in the same sentence. The fact that the given answer is in the same sentence indicates that the verb has an object, that is, it shows that the verb is transitive. Let’s examine with examples:

• We cooked a lot of food and desserts for the evening.

–What did we cook? “Lots of food and desserts” is the answer to this question. In this case, the verb affects an object. This means that the verb is transitive.

• I paid all the bills this month.

–What did I pay for? “All the bills” is the answer to this question. In this case, the verb “paid” in the sentence becomes a transitive verb.

• They bothered me a lot all day.

–Who did they bother? “Me” is the answer to this question. Since the verb affects an object in the sentence, the verb “bothered” here is transitive.

• They will visit my grandmother tomorrow.

–Who will they visit? “My grandmother” is the answer to this question. In this case, it can be said that the verb “visit” in the sentence has an object. In this case, the verb “visit” is transitive.

While some verbs are transitive in some sentences, they may be intransitive in some sentences. An example of this:

• I played professional volleyball for 10 years.

(The answer to the question “What did I play” in this sentence is “professional volleyball”. In this case, it is possible to say that the verb “played” in the sentence is transitive.)

• This week, both teams will play against tough teams.

(When asked the question “What will it play” for this sentence, there is no answer that can be given to the question in the sentence. In this case, the verb “play” in the ball is considered intransitive.)