English [5.2] Kinds of Verbs Mitsa Tutoring Organization || 2021.

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Kinds of VERBS

MEASURE Test your knowledge!

INSTRUCTIONS: Identify the type of action verb used in each sentence.

(Transitive or Intransitive)
1. She is eating an apple.
2. She is eating well.
3. We should stay here.
4. He broke my heart.
5. I am writing this paper.
6. Walk carefully when you’re beside the road.
7. She sings flawlessly.
8. The athlete runs everyday.

INSPIRE Set your goals!

To determine the types of action verbs

To determine the use of each type of action verbs

To distinguish the verbs used within a sentence

To properly demonstrate how to use each type of action verb

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TEACH Learn with us!

Action verbs are divided into two types, namely: transitive and intransitive verbs.

Recall that action verbs are verbs that describe actions. These action verbs are
further categorized into transitive and intransitive verbs to which we'll look further
later. For now, here are some examples:
Examples: run, walk, jump, sprint, gallop, eat

NOTE:
Before we look into transitive and intransitive verbs. Note that action verbs
often are verbs that often allow the subject to show action. Moreover, these
actions could be physical or mental actions.

The two types of action verbs can use the same word but are differentiated through
how each word is used. A good rule of thumb is that transitive verbs have an
object that receives the action while intransitive verbs do not. Rather, intransitive
verbs may have adverbs that help modify the verb.

Transitive verbs are verbs that have an object that receives the action.
Example:
1) The student lied about his grades.
The sentence above has grades as the object of the verb.

2) I picked cherries yesterday.

The sentence above has cherries as the object of the verb.

NOTE:
To help you out when distinguishing transitive from intransitive, you often also
have to find out what the object is. This can be done through questions such as
what, who, what, and which. The student lied about what? You might think
the second sentence above is intransitive because it has yesterday which is an
adverb of time. However, it still is transitive because cherries is the object of the
action.

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TEACH Learn with us!

Intransitive Verbs are verbs that do not have objects to receive the action. Often,
prepositional phrases or adverbs are added to add more information about the
verb.

Example:
1) The student lied.
The sentence above does not have any object to receive the action. It does,
however, have the doer of the action as the student.

2) I picked cautiously yesterday.

The sentence above does not have any object to receive the action. It does,
however, have the doer of the action as I and an adverb cautiously that modifies the
verb.

NOTE:
Observe how the sentences above do not have a receiver of the action. Hence,
the student lied about what? I picked what? We can't determine the answer to
these questions by simply refering to the sentence.

The key to distinguishing transitive verbs from intransitive verbs and vice versa is by
looking at the object, or lack thereof, that they pertain to.

The following sentence has the verb eat. However, the first sentence has an object
while the other has an adverb.
I will eat the pie (object).
I will eat slowly (adverb).

Moreover, take not that some verbs are exclusive to being transitive or
intransitive. For example, fainting is a verb that is exclusively used as an
intransitive verb since you can't faint something.

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NOTE:
Although intransitive verbs often have adverbs that modify them, they still can
grammatically exist without them. Transitive verbs on the other hand can't exist
without the object of the action.

SUMMARIZE Wrap it up!

Action Verbs show and demonstrate action within a sentence

Action Verbs are divided into transitive and intransitive
Transitive Verbs have an object that receives the action.
Intransitive Verbs do not have an object that receives the action.
Most verbs can be used as Transitive and Intransitive verbs although there are
some exceptions.

APPLY Check your learning!

INSTRUCTIONS: Identify the type of verb highlighted in the sentence. If the

highlighted verb is a transitive verb, determine the object of the verb.

1. I wash thoroughly.

2. I washed my hair with a conditioner.

3. Afterwards, I touched my hair and it was silky smooth.

4. I love to finger-combed slowly

5. I can’t believe I was tolerating rough hair.

6. Apparently, conditioners solve bad hair days.

7. I suggest that you should buy conditioners that suit your hair!

8. I can now sleep easily tonight.

9. I hesitated before.

10. But now, I’ll never hesitate to use conditioners.

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ANSWER KEY

MEASURE: APPLY:
1. Transitive 1. Intransitive 6. Transitive - Bad Hair Days
2. Intransitive 2. Transitive - Hair 7. Transitive - Conditioners
3. Transitive 3. Transitive - Hair 8. Intransitive
4. Transitive
4. Intransitive 9. Intransitive
5. Transitive
5. Transitive - Hair 10. Transitive - Conditioners
6. Intransitive
7. Intransitive
8. Intransitive

REFERENCES
Gunner, J. (2021). Action Words.
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/verbs/action-verbs.html

Miller, C. (2018). Learning about Action and Linking Verbs.

https://englishlive.ef.com/blog/language-lab/action-verbs-linking-verbs/

Shrives, C. (2021). Grammar Monster.

https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/transitive_verbs.html

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