Intransitive Verbs

Every verb can be classified in different ways, such as regular or irregular, finite or non-finite, and importantly, as either transitive or intransitive. We have already discussed transitive verbs, so now let us focus on intransitive verbs.

What Are Intransitive Verbs?

Intransitive verbs are the opposite of transitive verbs. While transitive verbs have direct objects receiving the action, intransitive verbs do not have someone or something being acted upon. They describe an action that does not pass on to an object.

Example of an Intransitive Verb

Consider the sentence:

"Milo listens."

• Milo is the subject, the doer of the action, and the person the sentence is about.
• Listens is the verb, describing the action.
• Notice that there is no direct object receiving the action. The verb listens does not act on anyone or anything; it simply describes Milo’s action.

Thus, listens in this sentence is an intransitive verb because it has no object.

More Examples of Intransitive Verbs

• "Belinda smiles often."
• "She blogs."
• "Trent sucks."
• "They dance."
• "Everyone eats."

All these verbs describe actions without passing onto a direct object. They do not act on anyone or anything in the sentence.

Important Reminder

A verb’s classification as transitive or intransitive depends on the sentence it is used in.

• If the verb has a direct object, it is transitive.
• If it does not have a direct object, it is intransitive.