Action Verbs

Action verbs are words that show action, words like jump, run, and eat. 

Active verbs can be divided into two categories:  transitive and intransitive verbs. A transitive verb is a verb that requires one or more objects.  Intransitive verbs, however, do not have objects.

It might be helpful to think of it this way: transitive verbs have to be done to something or someone in the sentence.  Intransitive verbs only have to be done by someone.

Transitive Verbs

Here are a few examples of transitive verbs in a sentence:  

We are going to need a bigger boat.

The object in this sentence is the phrase “a bigger boat.” Consider how incomplete the thought would be if the sentence only said “We are going to need.” Despite having a subject and a verb, the sentence makes little sense without the object phrase.

She hates filling out forms.

Hates is also a transitive verb. Without the phrase “filling out forms,” the clause “She hates” is vague and feels incomplete.

Intransitive Verbs

Here a few examples of intransitive verbs in a sentence:

John sneezed loudly.

Even though there’s another word after sneezed, the full meaning of the sentence is available with just the subject John and the verb sneezed: “John sneezed.” Therefore, sneezed is an intransitive verb. It doesn’t have to be done to something or someone.

My computer completely died.

Again, died here is enough for the sentence to make sense. We know that the computer (the subject) is what died.

Note

Some verbs can act as both transitive and intransitive verbs.  Here are a few examples: