Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 3, Verbs 79

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Grammar

Lesson 14

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

An action verb that is followed by a direct object is called a transitive verb. An

action verb that is not followed by a direct object is called an intransitive verb.

Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive, depending on the words that

follow them. Remember that a direct object answers the question what? or whom?

The polar bears eat slowly.

The word slowly tells how the bears eat. It does not answer the question what? or

whom? In this sentence, the action verb eat is intransitive because it is not

followed by a direct object.

The polar bears eat fish.

The word fish answers the question what? In this sentence, the action verb eat is

transitive because it is followed by the direct object fish.

 Exercise 1 Draw two lines under the action verb in each sentence. Write Tin the

blank if the verb is transitive. WriteIif the verb is intransitive.

T Mitchell repaired the computer.

I 1. The baby cried loudly.

I 2. Marta finished early.

T 3. We climbed three flights of stairs.

I 4. Carly sings better than I do.

T 5. My brother pedaled his bike down the sidewalk.

I 6. The peanut butter cookies burned.

T 7. My aunt called me yesterday.

I 8. The pet store opened late.

I 9. Peter’s goldfish eats in the morning.

T 10. Jen sank the ball through the hoop.

T 11. After school, Zach ate two apples.

T 12. The alarm woke Ethan at seven.

I 13. The bathtub overflowed.