Verbs and objects

Dr. Latifa Shamsan

Types of verbs

intransitive monotransitive ditransitive linking

a verb that a verb that

a verb that
doesn’t have has a direct a verb that has
has a direct
a direct object and an a complement
object. indirect object
object.
Types of verbs

What type of verb is each of the underlined verbs?

(intransitive/monotransitive/ ditransitive/ linking)

He wrote a poem.
The dog sneezed.
He seemed worried.
She sent me an email.
The dog shook its tail.
The kids are asleep.
The dog shook.
Types of verbs

What type of verb is each of the underlined verbs?

(intransitive/monotransitive/ ditransitive/ linking)

He wrote a poem. monotransitive

The dog sneezed. intransitive
He seemed worried. linking
She sent me an email. ditransitive
The dog shook its tail. monotransitive
The kids are asleep. linking
The dog shook. intransitive
Transitive verbs
What are transitive verbs?

They’re verbs that have objects. They can be either monotransitive or

ditransitive.

e.g, He stole the camera. (monotransitive)

He gave Sara a flower. (ditransitive)

What are objects?

They’re words that receive the action of the verb.

e.g, He stole the camera.

Objects can be noun phrases, pronouns, or clauses.

Transitive verbs
Does it have a direct object?

To determine whether a verb has a direct object, always

ask “whom?” or “what?” after it.

e.g., He wrote the manuscript.

Ask yourself: He wrote (what?)

Answer: manuscript (direct object)

Therefore, wrote is a transitive verb.

Transitive verbs

We use a transitive verb:

to describe an action that affects an object

e.g, I bought a TV.

to describe a feeling or experience caused by an object

e.g, She likes bananas.

Other verbs include: believe, admire, love, need, fear, etc.

Transitive verbs

Only transitive verbs are used to form the

passive

e.g, He stole the camera… The camera was stolen.

We usually use a prepositional phrase after the

object of a transitive verb such as put

e.g, I put the eggs in the fridge.

Intransitive verbs

What are intransitive verbs?

They’re verbs that are used without an object.

e.g, I sneezed.

Other verbs include: rain, hesitate, arrive,

happen, etc.
Intransitive verbs
We use intransitive verbs to talk about simple
events, actions and sounds.

e.g, The children were screaming.

Other verbs include: faint, collapse, sneeze,

cough, yawn, etc.

Intransitive verbs are not used in the passive

since they don’t have an object.
Intransitive verbs

We usually use prepositional phrases after

intransitive verbs

The thief escaped from the police.

We went to London.
Verbs used with and without
objects

Some verbs can be used with objects

(transitive) and without objects (intransitive)

e.g, The dog shook.(intransitive)

The dog shook its tail. (transitive)

Other verbs include: read, eat, cook, paint,

study, etc.
Verbs used with and without
objects
Die and smile are usually used as intransitive verbs but they can
also be used as transitive verbs

e.g,

1. Darwin died in 1882.

2. She died a painful death.

Is the verb die transitive or intransitive in the above sentences?

1. intransitive 2. transitive

Other verbs include: dance, laugh, live, dream, etc.

Verbs used with and without
objects
Meet and fight can be used as transitive verbs. They can also be used
as intransitive verbs after plural subjects (when each other or with each
other is understood)

e.g,

1. I met Sara at university.

2. Sara and I met at university.

Is the verb meet transitive or intransitive in the above sentences?

1. transitive 2. intransitive

Other verbs include: hug, embrace, touch.

Exercise
Decide whether the verbs in following sentences are
transitive or intransitive

Mrs. Carter applauded.

It happened last week.

The doctor remembers us.

We enjoy travelling.
Exercise
Decide whether the verbs in following sentences are
transitive or intransitive

Mrs. Carter applauded. intransitive

It happened last week. intransitive

The doctor remembers us. transitive

We enjoy travelling. transitive

Homework

Textbook, p. 7

Supplementary Exercises, p. 4