Learning to recognize Transitive and Intransitive Verbs will help you understand the functions of verbs and improve your writing skills.

Two Functions of Verbs

Verbs are either transitive or intransitive.

1. Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs have a direct object. That is, the action denoted by a transitive verb is carried across from the doer (the subject) to its receiver (the direct object).

John wrote a letter.
David threw the ball.

2. Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs do not have a direct object. The action denoted by an intransitive verb stays with the subject. That is, the subject completes the action itself and does not carry across to a receiver.

The bird flew over the fence.
The man sang in the rain.

For more information on transitive and intransitive verbs, click on Worksheet For Transitive/Intransitive Verbs.

Two Voices of Transitive Verbs

Only transitive verbs have voice.
Voice tells whether the subject is acting or being acted upon.
The two voices of transitive verbs are active and passive.

1. Active Voice

The verb has active voice when the subject of the sentence performs the action and the direct object receives the action.

For example: Dad loves his football.

Who is performing the action? Dad

What is the direct object? football

What is the voice of the verb? active

Remember: With active voice, the subject performs the action and the direct object receives the action.

2. Passive Voice

The verb has passive voice when the subject of the sentence receives the action.

Please note: A passive voice verb is always a form of “be” with a past form of an action verb.

For example: David was injured in the accident.

What is the verb of the sentence? was injured

What form of “be” is used? was

Who was injured? David

What word is the receiver of the action? David

What is the voice of the verb? passive

Remember: With passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action.

Tips to Identify Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

A transitive verb has a doer (subject) and a receiver (direct object) of the action.
An intransitive verb has no receiver of the action.
Linking verbs are always intransitive.
Only transitive verbs have voice.
Active verbs are always followed by a direct object.
With passive verbs, the subject is the receiver of the action.

Remember: A noun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject is a predicate nominative. An Adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject is a predicate adjective. Linking verbs are always intransitive.