Action Verbs are verbs that express action. Ex: run, walk, do, drive.
I’ll do my homework when I get home.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Most action verbs are defined as transitive or intransitive. This means that some are used with a direct object (the person or thing that receives the action of the subject) and others don’t need a direct object. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on their meaning.
- Transitive Verb – Joe will send the price quote as soon as he can.
- Intransitive Verb – Many of the students are not well. They coughedthroughout the lesson.
Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs always receive a direct object:
- Richard annoys his bossso much that he’ll never get a promotion.
(His boss is the direct object of annoys and a promotion is the direct object of get) - Jenna brings Smithlunch every day.
(Mrs. Smith is the direct object of brings. Jenna is the subject.
Here’s a list of some common transitive verbs that must be followed by a direct object:
- bring
- send
- owe
- contain
- buy
- show
- take
- tell
- verify
- check
- get
- wash
- finalize
- annoy
- lay
- lend
- offer
- edit
- make
- phone
Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs do not need a direct object in order to complete their meaning. Many are followed by an adjective, adverb, preposition or verb complement (gerund or infinitive).
Here is a list of common intransitive verbs:
- come
- explode
- laugh
- sit
- rise
- excel
- respond
- run
- cough
- swim
- emigrate
- smile
- act
- cry
- immigrate
- lie
- arrive
- continue
- die
- go
- If Cathy continuesto be late for work, the boss will fire her.
(Continues is followed by an infinitive (to be), with no direct object.) - The bomb explodedin the city center.
(Exploded is followed by a preposition of place with no direct object.)
Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive depending on their meanings.
Examples
- Jamie set the documents down on the CEO’s desk.
(Transitive: The documents are the direct object to the verb: set.) - The sun set low over the Pacific Ocean.
(Intransitive: Low is an adverb. Set doesn’t need a direct object.) - Tyson manages the accounting department.
(Transitive: The accounting department is the direct object to the verb: manage.) - John has had difficulty managing since his wife’s death.
(Intransitive: Since is a preposition of time. Managing doesn’t need a direct object)
Note: Transitive and intransitive verbs can appear in any tense.
Here is a list of several verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive depending on their meanings:
- set
- leave
- give
- study
- sit
- grow
- smell
- dance
- sing
- write
- teach
- burn
- eat
- paint
- drive
- manage
- stop
- climb
- run
- check
- cost
- go
- pay
- improve