The document explains the distinction between intransitive and transitive verbs, defining intransitive verbs as those that do not have an object, while transitive verbs do. It provides examples of each type and notes that some verbs can function as both, depending on their meaning. Additionally, it highlights specific cases where certain transitive verbs cannot be used in the passive voice.

1. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs

2. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
Many verbs do not normally have an object.
They are called ‘intransitive verbs’. They often
refer to:
existence: appear, die, disappear, exist,
happen, live, occur, remain, vanish
the human body: ache, bleed, blush, faint,
shiver, smile

3. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
human noises: cough, cry, laugh, scream,
sigh, snore, speak, yawn
light, smell, vibration: gleam, glow, shine,
sparkle, stink, throb, vibrate
position, movement: arrive, come, depart,
fall, flow, go, jump, kneel, pause, run, sit,
sleep, stand, swim, wait, walk, work

4. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
An awful thing has happened.
The girl screamed.
I waited.
Note: Transitive verbs cannot be used in the
passive.

5. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
Many verbs normally have an object. These
verbs are called ‘transitive’ verbs. They are
often connected with:
physical objects: build, buy, carry, catch,
cover, cut, damage, destroy, fill, hit, own,
remove, rent, sell, use, waste, wear
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

6. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
feelings: admire, dislike, enjoy, fear,
frighten, hate, interest, like, love, need,
prefer, surprise, trust, want
facts, ideas: accept, believe, consider,
correct, discuss, expect, express, forget,
include, know, mean, remember, report
people: address, blame, comfort, contact,
convince, defy, kill, persuade, please, tease,
thank, warn

7. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
He hit the ball really hard.
Did you see the rainbow?
They both enjoyed the film.
She reported the accident to the police.
Don’ t blame me.

8. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
Note: Transitive verbs can be used in the
passive.
They were blamed for everything.

9. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
WARNING: ‘Have’ is a transitive verb, but
cannot be use in the passive. You can say ‘I
have a car’ but not ‘A car is had by me’.

10. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
Often, the people you are talking to know
what the object is because of the situation, or
because it has already been mentioned. In
this case you can omit the object, even
though the verb is transitive.

11. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
accept draw iron
phone study answer
drive know read
type change eat
learn remember understand
choose explain leave

12. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
ride wash clean
forget paint sing
watch cook help
park steal write

13. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
I don’ t own a car. I can’ t drive.
You don’ t smoke, do you?
I asked a question and George answered.
Both dresses are beautiful. It’ s difficult to
choose.

14. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
Many verbs have more than one meaning, and
are transitive in one meaning and intransitive in
another meaning. For example, the verb ‘run’ is
intransitive when you use it to mean ‘move
quickly’ but transitive when you use it to mean
‘manage or operate’.
call lose miss spread
play show fit run
manage move

15. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
The hare runs at enormous speed.
She runs a hotel.
She moved gracefully.
The whole incident had moved her profoundly.

16. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
A few verbs are normally intransitive, but can
be used with an object that is closely related to
the verb.
dance (a dance) laugh (a laugh)
sigh (a sigh) die (a death)
live (a life) smile (a smile)
dream (a dream)

17. Intransitive and Transitive
Verbs
Steve smiled his thin, cruel smile.
He appears to have lived the life of a rock star.
I once dreamed a very nice dream.
Note: You normally add more information
about the object, for example by using
adjectives in front of the noun.

18. Questions?
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