Transitive Verbs

The complete guide to verbs that require direct objects in English

A transitive verb is a verb that requires one or more objects to complete its meaning in a sentence. These verbs transfer their action to a receiver (the direct object).

Why Transitive Verbs Matter

Transitive verbs are essential for constructing complete, meaningful sentences in English. Understanding them helps avoid sentence fragments, improves writing clarity, and is crucial for standardized tests and professional communication.

Quick Examples:
  • She sent the package. (What did she send? The package)
  • They are discussing the proposal. (What are they discussing? The proposal)
  • He has written three novels. (What has he written? Three novels)
  • The committee approved the budget. (What did they approve? The budget)
  • We need more information. (What do we need? More information)
Key Characteristics:
  • Require a direct object to complete their meaning
  • Can be converted to passive voice
  • Answer "what?" or "whom?" after the verb
  • Can be action verbs or stative verbs
  • Essential for complete sentence structure

Core Types of Transitive Verbs

1. Monotransitive Verbs

Require exactly one direct object:

Examples:
  • She opened the door.
  • He reads newspapers daily.
  • They built a new house.
  • I enjoy classical music.
  • The teacher explained the concept.

2. Ditransitive Verbs

Require both a direct object and an indirect object:

Examples:
  • She gave me a gift. (indirect: me, direct: a gift)
  • He told us a story. (indirect: us, direct: a story)
  • They sent their parents a letter.
  • I owe you an apology.
  • The company offered him a position.

3. Complex Transitive Verbs

Require a direct object plus an object complement:

Examples:
  • They elected her president. (object: her, complement: president)
  • We consider him reliable. (object: him, complement: reliable)
  • She painted the wall blue.
  • The jury found the defendant guilty.
  • I prefer my coffee black.

4. Prepositional Transitive Verbs

Require a direct object plus a specific preposition:

Examples:
  • She accused him of lying.
  • He thanked me for my help.
  • They provided us with information.
  • I congratulated her on her success.
  • We blamed the weather for the delay.

5. Phrasal Transitive Verbs

Verb + particle combinations that require objects:

Examples:
  • She turned down the offer.
  • We put off the meeting.
  • They looked up the information.
  • He brought about significant changes.
  • I figured out the solution.
Note:

Some phrasal verbs can be separated: "She turned the offer down"

Detailed Usage Rules

1. Identifying Transitive Verbs

To identify a transitive verb, ask "what?" or "whom?" after the verb:

Example:

"She wrote a letter." (Wrote what? A letter → transitive)

"He slept peacefully." (Slept what? No answer → intransitive)

2. Transitive Verbs in Different Tenses

Transitive verbs can be used in all tenses while maintaining their objects:

Simple Present:

She writes reports every week.

Present Continuous:

She is writing a report now.

Simple Past:

She wrote the report yesterday.

Past Continuous:

She was writing the report when I called.

Present Perfect:

She has written three reports this month.

Future:

She will write the report tomorrow.

3. Transitive Verbs in Passive Voice

Only transitive verbs can be converted to passive voice:

Active:

The team completed the project.

Passive:

The project was completed by the team.

More Examples:
  • Active: They serve breakfast at 8am. → Passive: Breakfast is served at 8am.
  • Active: Someone has stolen my bike. → Passive: My bike has been stolen.
  • Active: The committee will review applications. → Passive: Applications will be reviewed by the committee.

4. Position of Objects

Direct objects typically follow the verb immediately:

Standard Order:

Subject + Verb + Direct Object

"She purchased a new car."

With Indirect Object:

Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

"He gave his sister a gift."

OR Subject + Verb + Direct Object + to/for + Indirect Object

"He gave a gift to his sister."

5. Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs

Transitive:
  • Require a direct object
  • Can be converted to passive voice
  • Example: "She solved the problem."
Intransitive:
  • Don't require an object
  • Cannot be passive
  • Example: "She smiled."
Ambitransitive (Both):
  • Can be used both ways
  • Example: "She reads (intransitive) vs. "She reads books" (transitive)

Advanced Usage: Nuances and Subtleties

1. Verbs That Are Always Transitive

Some verbs cannot function without an object:

  • bring, give, send, take
  • buy, sell, owe, cost
  • make, create, build, design
  • tell, ask, answer, promise
Incorrect Usage:

✖ "She brought yesterday." (Missing object)

✔ "She brought the documents yesterday."

2. Cognate Objects

Special objects that repeat the verb's meaning:

  • She dreamed a strange dream.
  • He lived a full life.
  • They fought a good fight.
  • She died a peaceful death.

3. Transitive Stative Verbs

Verbs describing states that still require objects:

  • have: I have a car.
  • own: She owns a business.
  • possess: They possess great wealth.
  • lack: We lack sufficient evidence.
  • resemble: You resemble your mother.

4. Transitive Verbs with Implied Objects

Sometimes objects are implied but not stated:

  • "She eats quickly." (implied: food)
  • "He drinks too much." (implied: alcohol)
  • "They're reading." (implied: books/newspapers)

5. Ergative Verbs (Both Transitive and Intransitive)

Verbs where the object becomes the subject in intransitive form:

Transitive:

"She broke the vase."

Intransitive:

"The vase broke."

More Examples:
  • open, close, start, stop
  • melt, freeze, boil, burn
  • change, increase, decrease

Transitive Verbs in Academic Writing

1. Research Reporting Verbs

  • The study demonstrated a clear correlation.
  • Smith (2020) established a new framework.
  • Our results support the hypothesis.
  • Previous research has identified several factors.

2. Methodology Descriptions

  • We conducted a series of experiments.
  • The survey collected data from 500 participants.
  • The team analyzed the samples using HPLC.
  • This approach eliminates potential bias.

3. Argumentation Verbs

  • The evidence supports our conclusion.
  • These findings challenge traditional assumptions.
  • We propose a new interpretation.
  • The data suggest an alternative explanation.

4. Citation Verbs

  • Johnson (2018) argues that...
  • As Lee (2021) demonstrates, ...
  • Several studies have confirmed this effect.
  • Recent research has questioned these results.

Transitive Verbs for Resumes and Professional Use

1. Achievement Verbs

  • increased sales by 30%
  • reduced costs by $50,000 annually
  • developed a new training program
  • managed a team of 15 employees

2. Leadership Verbs

  • led a cross-functional initiative
  • mentored three junior colleagues
  • coordinated between departments
  • facilitated weekly team meetings

3. Problem-Solving Verbs

  • identified key issues in the workflow
  • implemented new quality control measures
  • resolved 95% of customer complaints
  • optimized the inventory management system

4. Communication Verbs

  • presented quarterly reports to executives
  • wrote technical documentation
  • translated materials for international clients
  • negotiated contracts with vendors

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

1. Omitting Required Objects

Incorrect:

"She sent yesterday."

Correct:

"She sent the package yesterday."

2. Using Intransitive Verbs Transitively

Incorrect:

"The patient was died by the doctor." (die is intransitive)

Correct:

"The doctor killed the patient." OR "The patient died."

3. Incorrect Passive Construction

Incorrect:

"A great time was had by all." (awkward, though technically correct)

Better:

"Everyone had a great time." (active voice preferred for clarity)

4. Confusing Similar Transitive Verbs

Incorrect:

"She said me hello." (confusing "say" and "tell")

Correct:

"She told me hello." OR "She said hello to me."

5. Incorrect Word Order with Indirect Objects

Incorrect:

"She gave to me the book." (awkward word order)

Correct:

"She gave me the book." OR "She gave the book to me."

Standardized Test Focus (IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)

1. Error Identification Questions

Identify the error:

"The committee (A) discussed (B) about the proposal (C) for several hours (D)."

Answer: (B) - "discussed" is transitive and doesn't need "about"

2. Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the correct verb:

"The research team _____ significant results from their experiments."

  • A) arrived
  • B) obtained
  • C) happened
  • D) appeared

Answer: B) "obtained" (only transitive option)

3. Writing Section Tips

  • Use precise transitive verbs in Task 1 (process descriptions)
  • Ensure all transitive verbs have clear objects
  • Vary transitive verbs for higher lexical resource scores
  • Use strong transitive verbs in essay arguments

4. Speaking Test Tips

  • Use natural transitive verbs in Part 1 (daily activities)
  • Demonstrate range in Part 2 (describing events/experiences)
  • Use academic transitive verbs in Part 3 (abstract discussion)
  • Ensure objects are clear for all transitive verbs

Practice Activities

1. Fill-in-the-Blank

Complete with appropriate transitive verbs:

  1. The students _____ three experiments last week.
  2. She _____ her findings to the scientific community.
  3. Our team _____ a solution to the technical problem.
Possible Answers:
  1. conducted/performed
  2. presented/published
  3. developed/found

2. Error Correction

Correct these sentences:

  1. She suggested to me a new approach.
  2. They discussed about the project for hours.
  3. The company provided us with all necessary equipment.
Answers:
  1. She suggested a new approach to me. OR She suggested to me that we try a new approach.
  2. They discussed the project for hours.
  3. Correct as is (provide can take this structure)

3. Resume Writing Practice

Rewrite these weak resume bullet points with stronger transitive verbs:

  1. Was responsible for customer service
  2. Did data analysis for the marketing team
  3. Helped with the development of new products
Possible Answers:
  1. Managed customer service operations for 50+ clients
  2. Analyzed marketing data to identify key consumer trends
  3. Collaborated on the development of three new products

Comprehensive Reference Table

Category Basic Verbs Intermediate Verbs Advanced Verbs
Physical Actions throw, catch, carry construct, assemble calibrate, manipulate
Mental Actions know, understand analyze, evaluate synthesize, conceptualize
Communication say, tell, ask explain, present articulate, negotiate
Transfer give, take, send deliver, transfer disseminate, allocate
Creation make, build, write design, develop engineer, innovate

Final Checklist for Mastery

  • ✓ Can identify transitive verbs and their objects
  • ✓ Understand different types of transitive verbs
  • ✓ Know how to convert to passive voice
  • ✓ Can use transitive verbs correctly in all tenses
  • ✓ Recognize common errors with transitive verbs
  • ✓ Apply knowledge to test questions
  • ✓ Use varied transitive verbs in speaking/writing
Pro Tip:

When in doubt about whether a verb is transitive, try putting it in passive voice. If you can create a grammatical passive sentence (even if awkward), the verb is transitive.