Transitive verbs are verbs that require direct objects to receive an action, they are incomplete ideas without an object i.e. (Mark opened the window to let air in.). Transitive verbs are the opposite of intransitive verbs that do not require objects to express complete ideas i.e. (I ran for 2 miles.).Transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice, intransitive verbs cannot be i.e. (the car was stolen). Ambitranstive verbs may function as both a transitive verb or an intransitive verb, for example the verb change has this ability i.e. (The price changed drastically. - intransitive form) or i.e. (I changed my mind. - transitive form). Some transitive verbs can use indirect objects as well, i.e. (I showed him my comic book collection.), these verbs are called ditransitive verbs. Indirect objects receive the direct object. Transitive verbs that can use indirect objects are not required to do so, however, students should practice using indirect objects whenever possible as using them generally makes speech sound more natural. ​

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Using transitive verbs with objects ​

 

Transitive verbs are verbs that require direct objects to receive an action, they are incomplete ideas without an object. Subjects of transitive verbs are doing the action directly to object, these actions may be expressed in the passive voice.

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Direct object types

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Nouns: Singular, Plural, Non-countable, & Proper nouns.

Ex: I use cash all the time.

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Infinitive compliments: To + infinitive compliment 

Ex: Mark  forgot to call his brother. 

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Relative Infinitive compliments: -Wh word (Who, What, Where, When, Why) / -How + infinitive complement. 

Ex: I don't know where to go.

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Gerunds: Main verb in "ing" form 

Ex: Anne loves cooking. 

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Gerund phrases: Phrase with a main verb in "ing" form 

Ex: Frank enjoys taking dance classes.

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Noun clauses: Clauses (subject + verb) formed with the words such as that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, where, wherever, why, how, if, or whether.

Ex: John remembered where he left his car.​

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      Examples​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​     

      Ex: We watched a movie last night at Michael's house. 

      Ex: Margi wanted to hang out with friends. 

      Ex: I avoid spending too much money eating out.

      Ex: Mark enjoys skiing. 

      Ex: Our boss forgot where he put the documents. 

      Ex: Do you know where to go? 

      Ex: The restaurant received a fine. 

      Ex: Don't open the door. 

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Ambitransitive verbs ​

 

Some verbs have transitive and intransitive verbs forms, these verbs are called ambitransitive verbs students should practice using these verbs in both forms. 

 

 

 

 

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      Examples​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​     

      Ex: We cooked pasta for dinner. - Transitive form

      Ex: We cooked all night. - Intransitive form

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      Ex: Mike checked his bank account. - Transitive form

      Ex: It was working, I checked this morning. - Intransitive form

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      Ex: They ate lobster for dinner. - Transitive form

      Ex: He's said he's not hungry, he already ate. - Intransitive form

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      Ex: My boss called me twice today. - Transitive form

      Ex: Were you expecting a delivery? Someone from Amazon called. - Intransitive form

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      Ex: Did you connect the cable? - Transitive form

      Ex: The internet should work, I connected earlier. - Intransitive form

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Intransitive verbs​

 

Intransitive verbs generally do not use direct objects, there may be native expressions and slang that are exceptions but in general they should not be used with direct objects. Students should practice using these verbs without direct objects. 

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      Examples​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​     

      Ex: Don't trust him, he always lies. 

      Ex: Did you dive on your trip to the Bahamas? 

      Ex: I napped on the couch for a while.

      Ex: He swam across the river. 

      Ex: We stayed at home this weekend. 

      Ex: Mark has been coughing all morning, he should go home. 

      Ex: I yawned a lot during the movie, it was very boring. 

      Ex: Katherine flew to Japan today. 

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      Exception examples​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​     

      Ex: Cry me a river. 

      Ex: Some people live lives of luxury. 

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Ditransitive verbs​

 

Ditransitive verbs are capable of using indirect objects as well as direct objects, however it is not necessary for verbs to use indirect objects, they are optional. Alternatively phrases made with ditransitive verbs and indirect objects can be expressed with prepositional phrases using -to or -for.  Indirect objects are recipients of direct objects, whereas direct objects are recipients of the action. 

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Structure used with indirect objects 

Subject + ditransitive verb + indirect object + direct object 

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Structure used with indirect objects 

Subject + ditransitive verb + direct object + prepositional phrase (to / for) 

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      Examples​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​     

      Ex: I told Mark the truth about what happened. 

      Ex: I told the truth about what happened to Mark. 

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      Ex: She brought me the document to sign. 

      Ex: She brought the document for me to sign.

 

      Ex: The host offered him a drink. 

      Ex: The host offered a drink to him.

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      Ex: My boss wrote him a letter of recommendation. 

      Ex: My boss wrote a letter of recommendation for him. 

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​      Ex: My mother sent me a gift for my birthday. 

      Ex: My mother sent a gift to me for my birthday. 

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