Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: English Verb Types

A verb can be described as transitive or intransitive based on whether it requires an object to express a complete thought or not. A transitive verb is a verb that requires (takes or allows) an object to receive the action. “Object” may be in the form of a noun, phrase, or pronoun that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. A sentence with a transitive verb can generally be changed into passive voice (however, sometimes a transitive verb cannot be used in the passive voice). A transitive verb can’t stand alone with only a subject. An intransitive verb does not take an object. However, there may take prepositional phrases or adverbs. Adding adverbs or prepositional phrases modifies the verb but doesn’t change its meaning. A sentence with an intransitive verb can never be changed into a passive voice. Some verbs have multiple meanings and can be transitive or intransitive, depending on the sense in which they are used. In some instances, a verb may require an object, while in others it does not require an object.

Based on their transitive or/and intransitive uses, verbs may be categorized as follows:

01. Verbs that are usually used only transitively for all their meanings/senses.

02. Verbs that are usually used only intransitively for all their meanings/senses.

03. Verbs that are usually used both transitively and intransitively for all their meanings/senses.

04. Verbs that are used only transitively for one or more particular meanings/senses but also used only intransitively for one or more particular meanings/senses.

05. Verbs that are used only transitively for one or more particular meanings/senses but also used both transitively and intransitively for one or more particular meanings/senses.

06. Verbs that are used only intransitively for one or more particular meanings/senses but also used both transitively and intransitively for one or more particular meanings/senses.

07. Verbs that are used only transitively for one or more particular meanings/senses but also used only intransitively for one or more particular meanings/senses and also used both transitively and intransitively for one or more particular meanings/senses.

You will find the detailed list of verbs under each of these 7 categories. (Very Important Note: Verbs have been generally categorized based on their usual meanings/senses. You may find some variation with the other resources.)

In this book, you will find the list of transitive verbs that may take two objects. You will also find the list of transitive and intransitive verbs that are used with prepositional phrases or adverbs.

Following are some verbs that are usually used only transitively for all their meanings/senses: abandon / abase / typecast / typeset / outrun / rerun / overlay / underpay / misspend / rend / withhold / behold / outgrow / befall / underlie / outdo / abbreviate / abduct / abet / abhor / abolish / abominate / abrade / abridge / abrogate / absent / absolve / absorb / abstract / abuse / accent / accentuate / access / accompany / accomplish / accost / account / accredit / accuse / acquaint / acquire

Following are some Verbs that are usually used only intransitively for all their meanings/senses: abscond / abseil / abstain / accede / acquiesce / adhere / alight / amble / apologize / fall / dwell / appeal / appear / arc / arise / arrive / aspire / assent / atone / atrophy / augur / backfire / backpack / back-pedal / backspace / backtrack / balloon / banter / barf / bargain / barrel / bask / bay