1. Action Verbs
The main word in a complete predicate of a
sentence is the verb. An action verb is a word
that names an action. Action verbs can express
either a physical or mental action.
The white cloud floated lazily across the sky.
(Physical action)
Mary thought about the painting.
(Mental Action)
1

2. Transitive and
Intransitive Verbs

3. Key terms for transitive/intransitive verbs
Direct objects are words that receive the
action of the verb.
Some verbs have direct objects and others
do not.
If the verb has a direct object, it is
transitive.
If it does not, it is intransitive.

4. Does it have a direct object?
To determine whether a verb has a direct
object,
Ask: whom or what after it
Some verbs will be both transitive and
intransitive. It depends on how the verb is
used.

5. Check out this example:

6. Check out this example:
He wrote the manuscript.

7. Check out this example:
He wrote the manuscript.

8. Check out this example:
He wrote the manuscript.
The verb is wrote.

9. Check out this example:
He wrote the manuscript.
The verb is wrote.
Ask yourself: He wrote (what)

10. Check out this example:
He wrote the manuscript.
The verb is wrote.
Ask yourself: He wrote (what)
Answer: The manuscript is the direct object.

11. Check out this example:
He wrote the manuscript.
The verb is wrote.
Ask yourself: He wrote (what)
Answer: The manuscript is the direct object.
Therefore wrote is a transitive verb.

12. Another example:

13. Another example:
The dog shook his tail.

14. Another example:
The dog shook his tail.

15. Another example:
The dog shook his tail.
The verb is shook.

16. Another example:
The dog shook his tail.
The verb is shook.
Ask yourself: The dog shook (what)

17. Another example:
The dog shook his tail.
The verb is shook.
Ask yourself: The dog shook (what)
Answer: Tail is the direct object.

18. Another example:
The dog shook his tail.
The verb is shook.
Ask yourself: The dog shook (what)
Answer: Tail is the direct object.
Therefore shook is a transitive verb.

19. Examples of intransitive verbs

20. Examples of intransitive verbs
Mrs. Carper applauded.

21. Examples of intransitive verbs
Mrs. Carper applauded.

22. Examples of intransitive verbs
Mrs. Carper applauded.
The verb is applauded.

23. Examples of intransitive verbs
Mrs. Carper applauded.
The verb is applauded.
Ask yourself: Applauded (whom or what?)

24. Examples of intransitive verbs
Mrs. Carper applauded.
The verb is applauded.
Ask yourself: Applauded (whom or what?)
Answer: There is no word to receive the action
of the verb applauded and no direct object.

25. Examples of intransitive verbs
Mrs. Carper applauded.
The verb is applauded.
Ask yourself: Applauded (whom or what?)
Answer: There is no word to receive the action
of the verb applauded and no direct object.
Therefore applauded is an intransitive verb.

27. The dog shook.

28. The dog shook.

29. The dog shook.
The verb is shook.

30. The dog shook.
The verb is shook.
Ask yourself: Shook (whom or what?)

31. The dog shook.
The verb is shook.
Ask yourself: Shook (whom or what?)
Answer: There is no word to receive the action
of the verb shook and no direct object.

32. The dog shook.
The verb is shook.
Ask yourself: Shook (whom or what?)
Answer: There is no word to receive the action
of the verb shook and no direct object.
Therefore shook is an intransitive verb.

33. The wild, wild world of verbs
Verbs are the most confusing part of
speech.
However, every sentence must have a
verb to complete the meaning of the
subject.
Do not become overwhelmed by all the
types of verbs. Write simply and clearly
are my words of advice to you.