Reminder: A transitive verb requires either a direct object or an indirect object in order to express a complete thought – without it the sentence is grammatically incorrect. An intransitive verb can stand alone and does not need an object to make sense however it can be followed by a prepositional phrase which has an object of preposition, or an adverb; or it can stand alone without either and still express a complete thought. See this page to review transitive and intransitive verbs.

I. DETERMINE WHETHER THE FOLLOWING VERBS ARE TRANSITIVE OR INTRANSITIVE IN THE SENTENCES BELOW

1. The hills burst with color.              (“Burst” is Transitive, “Burst” is  Intransitive)
2. The hills burst with color.              (“Color” is direct object, “Color” is not direct  object)
3. The dog barked.                                  (“Barked” is transitive, Barked is intransitive)
4. I need a drink.                                      (“Need” is transitive, need is intransitive)
5. The man dropped the bottle.        (“Dropped is transitive, “dropped” is intransitive)
6. The man dropped to the floor.     (“Dropped is transitive, “dropped” is intransitive)
7. Alison desires more free time.       (“Desires” is transitive, “desires” is intransitive)
8. Alison desires nothing.                      (“Desires” is transitive, “desires” is intransitive)
9. Paul moved the car.                            ( “moved” is transitive, “moved” is intransitive)
10. Paul moved this way and that way.  (“moved” is transitive, “moved” is intransitive)

II. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES NEEDS AN OBJECT (AND IS THEREFORE TRANSITIVE)

1. Tom can sing.
2. Jane can bring.
3. John can swim.
4. Mike can take.
5. Sonya can move.
6. Esther can arrange.
7. We can discuss.
8. Allen can organize.
9. Ann can fly.
10. Jerry can put.

 

DECIDE WHETHER AN OBJECT IS NEEDED (THEREFORE THE VERB IS TRANSITIVE) IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

1. How much does cost?                  (object needed, no object needed)
2. They went.                                        (object needed, no object needed)
3. He took.                                             (object needed, no object needed)
4. The children played                      (object needed, no object needed)
5. The president made.                    (object needed, no object needed)
6. What did you say?                          (object needed, no object needed)
7. Mom told to stop                            (object needed, no object needed)
8. Mom said stop                                 (object needed, no object needed)
9. The bank will lend.                        (object needed, no object needed)
10. You promised.                                 (object needed, no object needed)
11. I need to buy.                                  (object needed, no object needed)
12. Do you owe?                                   (object needed, no object needed)
13. We passed the test                       (object needed, no object needed)
14. We passed.                                      (object needed, no object needed)
15. The fairy brought.                        (object needed, no object needed)
16. The fairy flew.                                (object needed, no object needed)
17. He lends.                                          (object needed, no object needed)
18. I will lend you.                               (object needed, no object needed)
19. I have cooked.                               (object needed, no object needed)
20. We have eaten.                             (object needed, no object needed)

---