1. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

2. Direct Objects Direct objects are words that receive the action of the verb. The boy kicked the ball. Some verbs have direct objects and others do not.

3. Transitive or Intransitive?? If the verb has a direct object, it is transitive. If it does not, it is intransitive. Some verbs will be both transitive and intransitive. It depends on how the verb is used.

4. Does it have a direct object? To determine whether a verb has a direct object,  Ask: whom or what after it

5. Check out this example: He wrote the manuscript.  The verb is wrote.  Ask yourself: He wrote (what)  Answer: The manuscript is the direct object. Therefore wrote is a transitive verb.

6. Another example: The dog shook his tail.  The verb is shook.  Ask yourself: The dog shook (what)  Answer: Tail is the direct object. Therefore shook is a transitive verb.

7. Examples of intransitive verbs Mrs. Carper applauded.  The verb is applauded.  Ask yourself: Applauded (whom or what?)  Answer: There is no word to receive the action of the verb applauded and no direct object. Therefore applauded is an intransitive verb.

8. The dog shook.  The verb is shook.  Ask yourself: Shook (whom or what?)  Answer: There is no word to receive the action of the verb shook and no direct object. Therefore shook is an intransitive verb in this sentence.

9. Common Intransitive Verbs The words in this list are never transitive. agreelive becomesit comestand dietalk fallwait gowalk happenwork *Memorize the list I gave you in class.

10. Why is it important??? You can only make passive sentences with transitive verbs. You CANNOT make a passive sentence with an intransitive verb.