grammar

Double-click on any word and see its definition from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.

In our article about reporting verbs , we discuss how different verbs can be followed by different kinds of structures.

In the same way, some verbs are usually followed by nouns or pronouns that we call the direct object, and show action on someone or something. These verbs are called transitive verbs:

Other verbs are not usually followed by direct objects, needing only the subject to make a sentence. These verbs are called intransitive verbs:

Many verbs can be either transitive or intransitive, depending on the meaning and context:

Unfortunately, there are no simple techniques to distinguish between the two types of verbs. As with many grammatical problems, it is necessary to learn what kind of structure follows each verb.

For more information on transitive and intransitive verbs, see the following web sites:

http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/07118/grammar.htm#t