Transitive VS Intransitive Part 1
How to Identify a Transitive Verb
Transitive verbs are not just verbs that can take an object; they demand objects. Without an object to affect, the sentence that a transitive verb inhabits will not seem complete.
- Please bring coffee.
In this sentence, the verb bring is transitive; its object is coffee, the thing that is being brought. Without an object of some kind, this verb cannot function.
- Please bring.
Bring what, or who? The question begs itself because the meaning of bring demands it.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs and their objects.
- The girls carry water to their village.
- Juan threw the ball.
- Could you phone the neighbors?
- I caught a cold.
- She loves rainbows.
- Lila conveyed the message.
Each of the verbs in these sentences have objects that complete the verbs’ actions. If the objects were taken out, the results would be illogical and questions would be raised in the mind of the reader; for example, Lila conveyed. Conveyed what?
