English Grammar 20: THE VERB

CHAPTER 20: THE VERB – Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Welcome to Chapter 20! In this chapter, we will learn about the heart of every sentence: The Verb. Specifically, we will look at how verbs pass their action to other words, acting as either Transitive or Intransitive verbs. Let us make these concepts crystal clear!

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Topic 1: What is a Verb?

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

The word Verb comes from the Latin word verbum, which simply means "a word". It gets this name because it is the most important word in any sentence. Without a verb, a sentence cannot exist!

A verb is a word used to tell or assert something about a person or a thing. A verb can tell us three main things:

• Action: What a person or thing does.
• Passive Action: What is done to a person or thing.
• State of Being: What a person or thing is (their state or condition).

2. Important Rules and Exceptions

• Rule 1: A verb is not always a single word. Often, a verb consists of multiple words working together (called a verb phrase), like a helping verb plus a main verb (e.g., is singing, has been found).

3. Solved Examples

Action (What someone does):

• Hari laughs.
• The clock strikes.

Passive Action (What is done to someone/something):

• Hari is scolded.
• The window is broken.

State of Being (What someone/something is):

• The cat is dead.
• Glass is brittle.
• I feel sorry.

Verbs with more than one word:

• The girls were singing.
• I have learnt my lesson.
• The watch has been found.

4. Additional Practice Exercises

Identify the complete verb in the following sentences:

1. The dog is barking loudly.
2. My father built this house.
3. The students are happy today.

5. Solutions and Explanations

1. is barking (Two words; shows action)
2. built (One word; shows action)
3. are (One word; shows a state of being)

6. Common Mistakes Students Make

• Mistake: Thinking only "action" words (run, jump, eat) are verbs.
• Tip: Always remember that "is, am, are, was, were, feel, seem" are also verbs. They show a "state of being."

7. Quick Summary

A verb is the most important word in a sentence. It tells us what someone does, what happens to them, or what they are.

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Topic 2: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

Now that we know what a verb is, let us see how actions move in a sentence.

Transitive Verb: The word "transitive" means passing over. A Transitive Verb is an action verb where the action passes over from the doer (the Subject) to a receiver (the Object). It needs an object to complete its meaning.

Intransitive Verb: The word "intransitive" means not passing over. An Intransitive Verb is a verb where the action stops with the doer. It does NOT pass over to an object. It can also just express a state of being.

2. Important Rules and Exceptions

• Rule 1: To find the object of a transitive verb, ask the question "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb. If you get an answer, it is a transitive verb.
• Rule 2: Intransitive verbs that express "being" (like is, am, are) take the same case after them as before them.
• Exception: Some verbs denote actions that cannot possibly be done to anything (e.g., come, go, fall, die, sleep, lie). These are always Intransitive.

3. Solved Examples

Transitive (Action passes to an Object):

• The boy kicks the football. (Kicks what? The football. "Football" is the object. "Kicks" is Transitive.)

Intransitive (Action stops with the Subject):

• The boy laughs loudly. (Laughs what? No answer. "Loudly" is an adverb, not an object. "Laughs" is Intransitive.)
• He ran a long distance. (Action)
• The baby sleeps. (State)
• There is a flaw in this diamond. (Being)

4. Additional Practice Exercises

Identify if the bold verb is Transitive (T) or Intransitive (I). If Transitive, name the object.

1. The bird flew away.
2. She drank the milk.
3. The baby cried all night.

5. Solutions and Explanations

1. Intransitive. (Flew what? No answer. "Away" shows where, not what.)
2. Transitive. (Drank what? Milk. "Milk" is the object.)
3. Intransitive. (Cried what? No answer. "All night" shows when.)

6. Common Mistakes Students Make

• Mistake: Confusing adverbs (words that answer how, when, where) with objects. Example: "He runs fast." Students think "fast" is the object.
• Tip: Only words that answer What? or Whom? can be objects! "Fast" answers "How?", so "runs" is intransitive.

7. Quick Summary

Transitive verbs pass their action to an object. Intransitive verbs do not have an object.

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Topic 3: Verbs with Two Objects (Direct and Indirect)

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

Most Transitive Verbs take only one object. But some generous verbs take two objects! These verbs are usually related to giving, asking, or telling (e.g., give, ask, offer, promise, tell).

• Direct Object: Usually the name of a thing. It answers "What?".
• Indirect Object: Usually the name of a person. It answers "To whom?" or "For whom?". The indirect object usually comes *before* the direct object.

3. Solved Examples

• His father gave him (Indirect Object) a watch (Direct Object).
• He told me (Indirect Object) a secret (Direct Object).

4. Additional Practice Exercises

Identify the Direct Object (DO) and Indirect Object (IO) in this sentence: "The teacher asked the student a question."

5. Solutions and Explanations

IO: the student. DO: a question. (The teacher asked *what*? A question. To *whom*? The student.)

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Topic 4: The Same Verb can be Transitive OR Intransitive

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

Many verbs in English lead a double life! It is better to say "a verb is used transitively or intransitively" rather than saying a verb is strictly one or the other. It all depends on how it is used in the sentence.

3. Solved Examples

Used Transitively (Has an Object)	Used Intransitively (No Object)
1. The ants fought the wasps.	1. Some ants fight very fiercely.
2. The shot sank the ship.	2. The ship sank rapidly.
3. Ring the bell, Rama.	3. The bell rang loudly.
4. The driver stopped the train.	4. The train stopped suddenly.
5. He spoke the truth.	5. He spoke haughtily.
6. The horse kicked the man.	6. This horse never kicks.
7. I feel a severe pain in my head.	7. How do you feel?
8. He broke the glass.	8. The glass broke.
9. He burnt his fingers.	9. He burnt with shame.
10. Open all the windows.	10. The show opens at six o'clock.

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Topic 5: Reflexive Verbs

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

Sometimes the Subject (doer) and the Object (receiver) are the exact same person. When a subject does an action to itself, the verb is used reflexively. Words ending in -self or -selves are used as the object.

Sometimes, we drop the reflexive pronoun in modern English, but its meaning is still "understood" in brackets.

3. Solved Examples

Explicit Reflexive Verbs:

• The man killed himself.
• Acquit yourself as a man.
• I enjoy myself sitting alone.
• He interested himself in his friend's welfare.

Understood (Hidden) Reflexive Verbs:

• The bubble burst [itself].
• The guests made [themselves] merry.
• Please keep [yourselves] quiet.
• With these words he turned [himself] to the door.
• The Japanese feed [themselves] chiefly on rice.

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Topic 6: How Intransitive Verbs Become Transitive

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

An Intransitive Verb usually has no object. But, English has a few magic tricks to force an intransitive verb to take an object, turning it into a transitive verb! Here are four ways:

Method A: Causative Sense
When you don't do the action, but you cause someone else to do it.

• Intransitive: The horse walks.
• Transitive: He walks the horse. (He causes the horse to walk).
• Transitive: The girl ran a needle into her finger. (She caused the needle to run).
• Transitive: The boys fly their kites. (They cause kites to fly).

Method B: Change in Spelling
Some intransitive verbs change their spelling completely to become a causative transitive verb.

Intransitive (Happens on its own)	Transitive (You cause it to happen)
Many trees fall in the monsoon.	Woodmen fell trees. (Cause to fall)
Lie still.	Lay the basket there. (Cause to lie)
Rise early with the lark.	Raise your hands. (Cause to rise)
Sit there.	Set the lamp on the table. (Cause to sit)

Method C: Adding a Preposition (Phrasal Verbs)
When you add a preposition to an intransitive verb, the pair works together as one single Transitive Verb.

• All his friends laughed at (= derided) him.
• He will soon run through (= consume) his fortune.
• Please look into (= investigate) the matter carefully.
• We talked about (= discussed) the affair several times.
• I wish for (= desire) nothing more.
• The Police Inspector asked for (= demanded) his name.
• (Prefixing): Shivaji overcame the enemy. He bravely withstood the attack. The river overflows its banks.

Method D: The Cognate Object
Sometimes an intransitive verb takes an object that is "akin" (from the same family or root word) to the verb. Cognatus is Latin for akin. This noun is called a Cognate Object (or Cognate Accusative).

• I have fought a good fight.
• He laughed a hearty laugh.
• I dreamt a strange dream.
• He sleeps the sleep of the just.
• Let me die the death of the righteous.
• She sighed a deep sigh.
• She sang a sweet song.
• He ran a race.
• Aurangzeb lived the life of an ascetic.

Partially Cognate Objects: He ran a great risk. The children shouted applause.

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Topic 7: The Adverbial Object (Adverbial Accusative)

1. Clear and Detailed Explanation

Sometimes, a noun looks like an object, but it actually works as an Adverb. It tells us about time, place, distance, weight, or value. Because it modifies the verb like an adverb, we call it an Adverbial Object.

Even though these follow the verb, they do NOT make the verb transitive because they answer "When?", "Where?", or "How much?", not "What?" or "Whom?".

3. Solved Examples

• He held the post ten years. (Time)
• I can't wait a moment longer. (Time)
• He went home. (Place)
• He swam a mile. (Distance)
• He weighs seven stone. (Weight)
• The watch cost fifty rupees. (Value)

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Comprehensive Solutions for Textbook Exercises

Exercise 36 Solutions

Task: Name the Verbs, tell whether Transitive or Intransitive. If Transitive, name the Object.

No.	Sentence	Verb	Type	Object (if any)
1	The sun shines brightly.	shines	Intransitive	-
2	The boy cut his hand with a knife.	cut	Transitive	hand
3	The clock stopped this morning.	stopped	Intransitive	-
4	The policeman blew his whistle.	blew	Transitive	whistle
5	The sun rises in the east.	rises	Intransitive	-
6	An old beggar stood by the gate.	stood	Intransitive	-
7	The clock ticks all day long.	ticks	Intransitive	-
8	I looked down from my window.	looked	Intransitive	-
9	Put away your books.	Put away	Transitive	books
10	The moon rose early.	rose	Intransitive	-
11	The cat sleeps on the rug.	sleeps	Intransitive	-
12	Cocks crow in the morning.	crow	Intransitive	-
13	Your book lies on the table.	lies	Intransitive	-
14	The fire burns dimly.	burns	Intransitive	-
15	Time changes all things.	changes	Transitive	things
16	We eat three times a day.	eat	Intransitive	-
17	Tell the truth.	Tell	Transitive	truth
18	The birds sing in the green trees.	sing	Intransitive	-
19	The little bird hopped about and sang.	hopped, sang	Intransitive	-
20	My new watch does not keep good time.	does not keep	Transitive	time
21	The beggar sat down by the side of the road.	sat down	Intransitive	-
22	I could not spare the time.	could not spare	Transitive	time
23	He took shelter under a tree.	took	Transitive	shelter
24	The boy easily lifted the heavy weight.	lifted	Transitive	weight
25	Balu wrote a letter to his uncle.	wrote	Transitive	letter
26	A tiny bird lived under the eaves.	lived	Intransitive	-
27	I know a funny little man.	know	Transitive	man
28	Birds fly in the air.	fly	Intransitive	-
29	A light rain fell last night.	fell	Intransitive	-
30	I shall bring my camera with me.	shall bring	Transitive	camera
31	You speak too loudly.	speak	Intransitive	-
32	The dog ran after me.	ran	Intransitive	-

Exercise 37 Solutions

Task: Write five sentences containing Transitive Verbs, and five containing Intransitive Verbs. (Student Practice Examples)

Transitive:
1. The teacher praised the student.
2. Mother cooked a delicious meal.
3. He opened the door quickly.
4. The mechanic repaired the car.
5. She painted a beautiful picture.

Intransitive:
1. The baby smiled brightly.
2. The old man walked slowly.
3. The river flowed gently.
4. Stars twinkle at night.
5. The audience cheered loudly.

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End of Chapter Quiz (20 MCQs)

Test your knowledge! Choose the correct option for each question.

1. Which of the following defines a Transitive Verb?
   A) A verb that shows no action
   B) A verb whose action passes over to an object
   C) A verb that only describes a state of being
   D) A verb that always has two subjects
2. Identify the verb in this sentence: "Glass is brittle."
   A) Glass
   B) brittle
   C) is
   D) There is no verb
3. In the sentence "The child sleeps," the verb 'sleeps' is:
   A) Transitive
   B) Intransitive
   C) Reflexive
   D) Causative
4. Identify the Direct Object in: "She told him a secret."
   A) She
   B) told
   C) him
   D) a secret
5. Which of the following verbs can NEVER be used transitively?
   A) Stop
   B) Ring
   C) Die
   D) Speak
6. "The boy flew his kite." Here, the verb 'flew' is used in a:
   A) Reflexive sense
   B) State of being
   C) Causative sense
   D) Passive sense
7. What is the transitive form of the intransitive verb 'fall'?
   A) Falled
   B) Fell
   C) Lay
   D) Raise
8. "He laughed a hearty laugh." The word 'laugh' at the end is a:
   A) Direct Object
   B) Indirect Object
   C) Cognate Object
   D) Adverbial Object
9. "The show opens at six o'clock." The verb 'opens' here is:
   A) Transitive
   B) Intransitive
   C) Cognate
   D) Reflexive
10. Identify the Indirect Object in: "His father gave him a watch."
    A) father
    B) gave
    C) him
    D) a watch
11. Which sentence contains a Reflexive Verb?
    A) I wrote a letter.
    B) The man killed himself.
    C) The sun rises in the east.
    D) Woodmen fell trees.
12. "He went home." The word 'home' is a/an:
    A) Direct Object
    B) Indirect Object
    C) Cognate Object
    D) Adverbial Object
13. "Please look into the matter." The verb phrase 'look into' is:
    A) Intransitive
    B) Transitive (Intransitive made Transitive by preposition)
    C) Cognate
    D) Reflexive
14. What is the transitive (causative) form of 'lie'?
    A) Lied
    B) Set
    C) Lay
    D) Raise
15. "The driver stopped the train." The verb 'stopped' is:
    A) Transitive
    B) Intransitive
    C) Adverbial
    D) Reflexive
16. "The dog ran fast." Is there an object in this sentence?
    A) Yes, 'dog'
    B) Yes, 'fast'
    C) Yes, 'ran'
    D) No, there is no object.
17. "We talked about the affair." The preposition 'about' helps make the verb:
    A) Intransitive
    B) Transitive
    C) Reflexive
    D) A noun
18. "He swam a mile." The phrase 'a mile' modifies the verb to show distance. It is an:
    A) Adverbial Object
    B) Cognate Object
    C) Indirect Object
    D) Causative Object
19. "I dreamt a strange dream." The word 'dream' is a:
    A) Causative Object
    B) Adverbial Object
    C) Cognate Object
    D) Indirect Object
20. "The guests made merry." Which hidden word is understood here?
    A) [food]
    B) [noise]
    C) [themselves]
    D) [friends]

MCQ Answers and Explanations

• 1. B (A transitive verb requires an object to receive the action.)
• 2. C ("is" is the verb here, showing a state of being.)
• 3. B (The action stops with the baby; there is no object.)
• 4. D (A direct object answers "What?". She told what? A secret.)
• 5. C (Actions like die, sleep, and go happen internally/naturally and cannot be done *to* an object.)
• 6. C (He doesn't literally fly; he *causes* the kite to fly. This is a causative sense.)
• 7. B (To cause something to fall is to 'fell' it, like 'felling a tree'.)
• 8. C (A noun that comes from the exact same root/family as the verb is a Cognate object.)
• 9. B (The show is opening on its own without a named doer passing action to an object.)
• 10. C (The indirect object answers "To whom?". Gave to whom? 'him'.)
• 11. B (The subject and the object are the exact same person, using '-self'.)
• 12. D ('Home' shows place, answering 'Where?', so it acts as an adverbial object.)
• 13. B (Adding a preposition like 'into' allows the intransitive verb 'look' to take the object 'the matter'.)
• 14. C (You 'lie' down, but you 'lay' something else down. Lay is the causative/transitive form.)
• 15. A (Stopped what? The train. 'The train' receives the action.)
• 16. D ('Fast' answers "How?", so it is an adverb. 'Ran' is intransitive here.)
• 17. B (The preposition connects the verb to the object 'the affair'.)
• 18. A (Words showing distance, weight, or time that look like objects are Adverbial objects.)
• 19. C ('Dreamt' and 'dream' share the same meaning/root, making it a Cognate object.)
• 20. C (This is an example of a reflexive pronoun [themselves] being understood but not written.)