Transitive Verbs Explained: How to Use Transitive Verbs

A transitive verb is a verb that contains, or acts in relation to, one or more objects. Sentences with transitive verbs require a noun that receives the intention or action of the verb.

Common verbs such as enjoy, like, love, bother, hate, buy, sell, and make are all examples of transitive verbs, and each of these verbs requires a direct object. For example, in the sentence “I like bananas,” “like” is the transitive verb, and “bananas” is the direct object.

In the English language, transitive verbs need a direct object (“I appreciate the gesture”), while intransitive verbs do not (“I run”). Transitive verbs cannot exist on their own—transitive verbs need a direct object, and the nouns or pronouns that follow tend to answer what or whom the verb affects. Intransitive verbs can stand alone, although they may be followed by prepositions to contextualize the verb further; for example, “I run to the store.”

Transitivity requires a verb and a direct object. Many sentences will follow a pattern of subject followed by transitive verb followed by direct object, as in the example sentences "He has a purple shirt" and "I detest mayonnaise." There are different types of transitive verbs, though, depending on the number of objects in the sentence:

1. 1. Monotransitive verb: Simple sentences with just one verb and one direct object are monotransitive. For example, in the sentence “I prefer cats,” “prefer” is the transitive verb, and “cats” is the direct object.
2. 2. Ditransitive verb: Ditransitive verbs require two objects—a direct and indirect object. An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that signals what or who receives the direct object. For example, in the sentence "I'm lending John the book," “John” is the indirect object, and the book is the “direct object,” as John is the one receiving the item.
3. 3. Complex transitive verb: A complex transitive verb requires a direct object plus another object or an object complement. Object complements, which can include words like “believe,” “make,” and “think,” qualify the direct object. For example, in the sentence “Her praise made me happy,” “made” is a complex transitive verb.

When using transitive verbs in a sentence, be direct and clear. The active voice is usually preferable over the passive voice. For example, avoid saying "The boat was purchased by her." Instead, say "She purchased the boat."

You can also add prepositional phrases (“on a bike,” “below the table”) to sentences after transitive verbs. Prepositions are words that explain the relationship between the noun and another word in a sentence. Examples of prepositions include like “for,” “after,” “above,” “beneath,” and “on.” For example, “She reserved the venue for two hours.” Here, “for two hours” operates as the prepositional phrase.

The following sentences show transitive verbs at work:

• The bigger dog bothers the little dogs. In this sentence, “bothers” is the transitive verb, and “the little dogs” are the direct objects, demonstrating whom the bigger dogs bother. Without these direct objects, the sentence is incomplete.
• She hates hiking. Here, “hates” is the transitive verb with “hiking” acting as the direct object. In this instance the direct object reveals what the subject hates doing.
• He’s been making birdhouses for three years. “Making” is a transitive verb, and the noun that follows it—“birdhouses”—is this sentence’s direct object.
• While studying French, she always enjoyed learning idioms. In this sentence, the transitive verb is “enjoyed” as it demands a direct object (“learning idioms”).

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A transitive verb is a verb that contains, or acts in relation to, one or more objects. Sentences with transitive verbs require a noun that receives the intention or action of the verb.

Common verbs such as enjoy, like, love, bother, hate, buy, sell, and make are all examples of transitive verbs, and each of these verbs requires a direct object. For example, in the sentence “I like bananas,” “like” is the transitive verb, and “bananas” is the direct object.

In the English language, transitive verbs need a direct object (“I appreciate the gesture”), while intransitive verbs do not (“I run”). Transitive verbs cannot exist on their own—transitive verbs need a direct object, and the nouns or pronouns that follow tend to answer what or whom the verb affects. Intransitive verbs can stand alone, although they may be followed by prepositions to contextualize the verb further; for example, “I run to the store.”

Transitivity requires a verb and a direct object. Many sentences will follow a pattern of subject followed by transitive verb followed by direct object, as in the example sentences "He has a purple shirt" and "I detest mayonnaise." There are different types of transitive verbs, though, depending on the number of objects in the sentence:

1. 1. Monotransitive verb: Simple sentences with just one verb and one direct object are monotransitive. For example, in the sentence “I prefer cats,” “prefer” is the transitive verb, and “cats” is the direct object.
2. 2. Ditransitive verb: Ditransitive verbs require two objects—a direct and indirect object. An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that signals what or who receives the direct object. For example, in the sentence "I'm lending John the book," “John” is the indirect object, and the book is the “direct object,” as John is the one receiving the item.
3. 3. Complex transitive verb: A complex transitive verb requires a direct object plus another object or an object complement. Object complements, which can include words like “believe,” “make,” and “think,” qualify the direct object. For example, in the sentence “Her praise made me happy,” “made” is a complex transitive verb.

When using transitive verbs in a sentence, be direct and clear. The active voice is usually preferable over the passive voice. For example, avoid saying "The boat was purchased by her." Instead, say "She purchased the boat."

You can also add prepositional phrases (“on a bike,” “below the table”) to sentences after transitive verbs. Prepositions are words that explain the relationship between the noun and another word in a sentence. Examples of prepositions include like “for,” “after,” “above,” “beneath,” and “on.” For example, “She reserved the venue for two hours.” Here, “for two hours” operates as the prepositional phrase.

The following sentences show transitive verbs at work:

• The bigger dog bothers the little dogs. In this sentence, “bothers” is the transitive verb, and “the little dogs” are the direct objects, demonstrating whom the bigger dogs bother. Without these direct objects, the sentence is incomplete.
• She hates hiking. Here, “hates” is the transitive verb with “hiking” acting as the direct object. In this instance the direct object reveals what the subject hates doing.
• He’s been making birdhouses for three years. “Making” is a transitive verb, and the noun that follows it—“birdhouses”—is this sentence’s direct object.
• While studying French, she always enjoyed learning idioms. In this sentence, the transitive verb is “enjoyed” as it demands a direct object (“learning idioms”).

Become a better writer with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.