Definition

1. Noun:
   • A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning and form a grammatically correct sentence. The action of the verb is performed upon someone or something (the object).

Usage

• A transitive verb is always followed by a direct object that answers the question "what?" or "whom?" after the verb.
• If you remove the object from a sentence with a transitive verb, the sentence becomes incomplete or changes meaning.
• Many verbs in English can be used both transitively and intransitively, depending on the context.

Examples

• (The verb "wrote" is transitive; "a letter" is the direct object answering "wrote what?".)
• (The verb "prepared" is transitive; "the meal" is the direct object answering "prepared what?".)
• (The verb "found" is transitive; "his keys" is the direct object answering "found what?".)

Advanced Usage

• Ditransitive Verbs: A subcategory of transitive verbs that require objects: a direct object and an indirect object.
  • Example: She gave [the dog] [a treat]. ("Gave" is a ditransitive verb; "a treat" is the direct object, and "the dog" is the indirect object.)
• Complex Transitive Verbs: These verbs are followed by a direct object and an object complement (a word or phrase that describes or renames the object).
  • Example: They elected her president. ("Elected" is a complex transitive verb; "her" is the direct object, and "president" is the object complement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Transitivity (n): The grammatical property of a verb that determines whether it takes a direct object.
• Intransitive Verb (n): A verb that does not require a direct object to be grammatical (e.g., ).
• Direct Object (n): The noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a transitive verb.

Synonyms

• Action verb (with an object)
• Verb requiring an object

Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Passive Voice: Transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice, where the object of the transitive verb becomes the subject of the sentence.
  • Example (Active): The team won the game. (Transitive)
  • Example (Passive): The game was won by the team.

Noun

1. a verb (or verb construction) that requires an object in order to be grammatical