intransitive verb
Noun: A verb (or verb construction) that does not take a direct object. It describes an action, occurrence, or state of being that is complete in itself and does not transfer to a receiver.
An intransitive verb expresses a complete idea without needing to answer the question "what?" or "whom?" after the verb. It can often be followed by an adverb, a prepositional phrase, or nothing at all.
- The baby cries. (The verb "cries" is complete; there is no object.)
- The sun rises in the east. (The verb "rises" is followed by a prepositional phrase, not a direct object.)
- Time flies. (The verb "flies" stands alone.)
- She slept peacefully. (The verb "slept" is modified by an adverb.)
- Linking Verbs: Some intransitive verbs, known as linking verbs (e.g., , , , ), connect the subject to a subject complement (an adjective or noun that describes the subject), not to a direct object.
- Example: He is a teacher. ("A teacher" is a subject complement, not an object.)
- Ambiguous Verbs: Many verbs in English can be either transitive or intransitive depending on their use in a sentence.
- Intransitive: The window broke. (No object.)
- Transitive: He broke the window. ("The window" is the direct object.)
- Intransitivity (n.): The quality or state of being intransitive.
- Transitive Verb (n.): A verb that requires one or more direct objects.
- Linking Verb (n.): A type of intransitive verb that links the subject to a subject complement.
- Non-transitive verb
- Transitive verb
The core distinction lies in the presence of a direct object. An intransitive verb never has a direct object. A simple test is to ask "what?" or "whom?" after the verb. If the sentence does not provide a logical, direct answer, the verb is likely intransitive. * Example: "He arrived." Arrived what? Arrived whom? The questions are illogical, so "arrived" is intransitive.
- a verb (or verb construction) that does not take an object