Transitive and intransitive verbs Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Question 1. What did you write?
Answer: This is a perfectly fine question that can be answered easily. For example, "I wrote a letter."
In simple words: The question works because "write" needs something to receive the action - what was written.

Exam Tip: Notice that some action verbs must have a noun after them to complete the meaning.

Question 2. Who did you annoy?
Answer: This is a perfectly fine question that can be answered easily. For example, "I annoyed my neighbor."
In simple words: The question works because "annoy" needs someone to receive the action - who was annoyed.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to which verbs require a person or thing to receive the action.

Question 3. What did you throw?
Answer: This is a perfectly fine question that can be answered easily. For example, "I threw a ball."
In simple words: The question works because "throw" needs something to receive the action - what was thrown.

Exam Tip: Questions like these help identify verbs that take a direct object.

Question 4. What did you sleep?
Answer: This is a strange question and cannot really be answered. That's because the verb "sleep" does not act on anything. You cannot say, for example, "I usually sleep the dog."
In simple words: The question doesn't work because "sleep" doesn't need anything to receive the action.

Exam Tip: Some verbs cannot be used with a direct object - they stand alone in a sentence.

Question 5. What did you die?
Answer: This is a strange question and cannot really be answered. That's because the verb "die" does not act on anything. You cannot say, for example, "They died the book."
In simple words: The question doesn't work because "die" doesn't need anything to receive the action.

Exam Tip: This is an intransitive verb - it cannot take a direct object.

Question 6. Who did you arrive?
Answer: This is a strange question and cannot really be answered. That's because the verb "arrive" does not act on anything. You cannot say, for example, "They'll arrive the book."
In simple words: The question doesn't work because "arrive" doesn't need anything to receive the action.

Exam Tip: Notice how different verbs behave - some take objects, some do not.

Quick Tip 10.1

Action verbs that act upon something are known as transitive verbs. Action verbs that do not act upon something are known as intransitive verbs.

Quick Tip 10.2

If a verb (in any of its forms) can be put in one of the following slots, it is transitive: (a) What did you _____? (b) Who did you _____? If a verb cannot be put in one of these slots, it is intransitive.

Question 7. What did you discover?
Answer: This is a fine question, so "discover" is a transitive verb. It can take a direct object - something that receives the action of discovering.
In simple words: The question works, which means "discover" is a transitive verb because it can act on something.

Exam Tip: Use the Quick Tip 10.2 test to identify transitive verbs quickly.

Question 8. What did you struggle?
Answer: This is not an acceptable question, so "struggle" is an intransitive verb. Although you can say "What did you struggle with?" or "What did you struggle at?", you can't ask the question as stated above, which means the verb is intransitive.
In simple words: The question doesn't work, which means "struggle" is an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Remember that some intransitive verbs can take a preposition, but they still cannot directly take a direct object.

Question 9. Who did you meet?
Answer: This is a fine question, so "meet" is a transitive verb. It can take a direct object - someone who receives the action of meeting.
In simple words: The question works, which means "meet" is a transitive verb because it can act on someone.

Exam Tip: Transitive verbs often appear in questions using "What" or "Who".

Question 10. What did you laugh?
Answer: This is not an acceptable question, so "laugh" is an intransitive verb. Although you can say "What did you laugh at?", you can't ask the question as stated above, which means the verb is intransitive.
In simple words: The question doesn't work, which means "laugh" is an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Intransitive verbs cannot be used with a direct object in their basic form.

Quick Tip 10.3

If a verb (in one of its forms) can be put in one of the following slots, it is transitive: (a) He _____ something. (b) He _____ someone.

Quick Tip 10.4

If a verb (in one of its forms) can be put in the following slot, it is intransitive: He _____.

Question 11. He discovered something.
Answer: Quick Tip 10.3 helps recognize the verb "discovered" as transitive because it fits the slot "He _____ something." The verb acts on something.
In simple words: This sentence works with the pattern, so "discovered" is a transitive verb.

Exam Tip: Use Quick Tip 10.3 to test if a verb is transitive by seeing if it can be followed by something or someone.

Question 12. He met someone.
Answer: Quick Tip 10.3 helps recognize the verb "met" as transitive because it fits the slot "He _____ someone." The verb acts on someone.
In simple words: This sentence works with the pattern, so "met" is a transitive verb.

Exam Tip: Words like "someone" and "something" in the pattern help you identify transitive verbs.

Question 13. He struggled.
Answer: Quick Tip 10.4 helps recognize the verb "struggled" as intransitive because it fits the slot "He _____." The verb does not require an object.
In simple words: This sentence works with the intransitive pattern, so "struggled" is an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Use Quick Tip 10.4 to test if a verb is intransitive - the verb should make sense on its own.

Question 14. He laughed.
Answer: Quick Tip 10.4 helps recognize the verb "laughed" as intransitive because it fits the slot "He _____." The verb does not require an object.
In simple words: This sentence works with the intransitive pattern, so "laughed" is an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Intransitive verbs express complete ideas without needing to act on someone or something.

Question 15a. I ate.
Answer: This sentence shows the verb "ate" used without a direct object. The sentence is complete and makes sense on its own.
In simple words: The verb "ate" can stand alone without saying what was eaten.

Exam Tip: Some verbs can work both ways - with and without a direct object.

Question 15b. I ate dinner.
Answer: This sentence shows the verb "ate" used with a direct object "dinner". The verb acts on the noun "dinner".
In simple words: The verb "ate" can also take an object - what was eaten.

Exam Tip: Compare sentences like these to understand how the same verb can be used in different ways.

Question 16a. She dances well.
Answer: This sentence shows the verb "dances" used without a direct object. The adverb "well" describes how she dances, but nothing receives the action of dancing.
In simple words: The verb "dances" can stand alone - it tells us what she does, not what she dances.

Exam Tip: Do not confuse adverbs (which describe verbs) with direct objects (which receive the action).

Question 16b. She dances the tango well.
Answer: This sentence shows the verb "dances" used with a direct object "the tango". The verb acts on "the tango" - a type of dance that she performs.
In simple words: The verb "dances" can also take an object - what kind of dance she does.

Exam Tip: Notice that a specific type or form can become the direct object of the verb.

Question 17a. The audience left.
Answer: This sentence shows the verb "left" used without a direct object. The sentence is complete and makes sense on its own.
In simple words: The verb "left" can stand alone without saying where they left.

Exam Tip: Note that some verbs can be used intransitively even when they are typically transitive in other contexts.

Question 17b. The audience left the theater.
Answer: This sentence shows the verb "left" used with a direct object "the theater". The verb acts on "the theater" - the place that they left.
In simple words: The verb "left" can also take an object - where they left from.

Exam Tip: The same verb can change from intransitive to transitive depending on whether a direct object is present.

Quick Tip 10.5

Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive. These can occur in both of the following slots: (a) He _____ something / someone. (b) He _____.

Test Yourself 10.1

Decide if each of the verbs below is transitive or intransitive. Use Quick Tips 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 to help you decide.

Question 1. Tell
Answer: Transitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____ someone" (He told someone). The verb acts on a person who receives the information.
In simple words: "Tell" needs someone to receive what is being told, so it's a transitive verb.

Exam Tip: Think of who or what receives the action of the verb to decide if it's transitive.

Question 2. Rise
Answer: Intransitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____" (He rose). The verb does not act on anything. You cannot say "He rose something."
In simple words: "Rise" cannot have something after it that receives the action, so it's an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: If you cannot answer "He _____ what?" or "He _____ who?", the verb is likely intransitive.

Question 3. Raise
Answer: Transitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____ something" (He raised something). The verb acts on something that gets raised.
In simple words: "Raise" needs something to be raised, so it's a transitive verb.

Exam Tip: Do not confuse "raise" (transitive) with "rise" (intransitive) - they have different meanings and uses.

Question 4. Fall
Answer: Intransitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____" (He fell). The verb does not act on anything. You cannot say "He fell something."
In simple words: "Fall" cannot have something after it that receives the action, so it's an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Motion and state verbs like "fall" are often intransitive because they describe what the subject does, not what it acts on.

Question 5. Publish
Answer: Transitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____ something" (He published something). The verb acts on something that gets published, like a book.
In simple words: "Publish" needs something to be published, so it's a transitive verb.

Exam Tip: Verbs related to making, creating, or producing are usually transitive.

Test Yourself 10.2

Decide if each of the verbs below is transitive, intransitive, or either. Use Quick Tips 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5 to help you decide.

Question 1. Beat
Answer: Transitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____ someone/something" (He beat the rival). The verb acts on a person or thing that is beaten.
In simple words: "Beat" needs someone or something to receive the action, so it's a transitive verb.

Exam Tip: Think of concrete examples to test if a verb can take a direct object.

Question 2. Cough
Answer: Intransitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____" (He coughed). The verb does not act on anything. You cannot say "He coughed something."
In simple words: "Cough" is something a person does by themselves without acting on anything, so it's an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Verbs that describe bodily actions or states are often intransitive.

Question 3. Relax
Answer: Intransitive - This verb can fit the slot "He _____" (He relaxed). The verb does not act on anything. You cannot say "He relaxed something."
In simple words: "Relax" describes a state or condition the person is in, so it's an intransitive verb.

Exam Tip: Verbs describing how people feel or behave are usually intransitive.

Question 4. Drive
Answer: Either - This verb can fit both slots: "He _____ something" (He drove a car) and "He _____" (He drove all day long). It can be both transitive and intransitive depending on context.
In simple words: "Drive" can take an object like a car, or it can stand alone when describing the activity itself.

Exam Tip: Some verbs naturally work both ways - look for whether context adds an object or not.

Question 5. Entertain
Answer: Either - This verb can fit both slots: "He _____ someone" (He entertained guests) and "He _____" (He entertained throughout the evening). It can be both transitive and intransitive depending on context.
In simple words: "Entertain" can take an object like people, or it can stand alone when describing the activity.

Exam Tip: Notice how context determines whether a verb is used transitively or intransitively.

Test Yourself 10.3

In the sentences below, decide if the underlined verb is being used as a transitive or intransitive verb. Use Quick Tips 10.2 and 10.3 to help you decide.

Question 1. Greg opened the newspaper.
Answer: Transitive - In this sentence, the verb "opened" acts on "the newspaper", which is the direct object. The newspaper receives the action of opening.
In simple words: The verb "opened" has something after it (the newspaper) that receives the action, so it's transitive.

Exam Tip: Always look for what receives the action of the verb to spot direct objects quickly.

Question 2. I can read it later.
Answer: Transitive - In this sentence, the verb "read" acts on "it", which is the direct object. The pronoun "it" receives the action of reading.
In simple words: The verb "read" has something after it (it) that receives the action, so it's transitive.

Exam Tip: Pronouns like "it", "him", "her" can serve as direct objects just like nouns do.

Question 3. Don't worry!
Answer: Intransitive - In this sentence, the verb "worry" stands alone without a direct object. The verb expresses a complete thought on its own.
In simple words: The verb "worry" doesn't have anything after it that receives the action, so it's intransitive.

Exam Tip: Some verbs can express complete ideas by themselves without needing to act on something.

Question 4. On Sundays, I usually stay at home.
Answer: Intransitive - In this sentence, the verb "stay" does not act on a direct object. The phrase "at home" tells us where the person stays, but it is not a direct object - it's a prepositional phrase that gives additional information.
In simple words: The verb "stay" doesn't have something after it that receives the action. "At home" tells us where, not what receives the action.

Exam Tip: Do not confuse prepositional phrases (which tell where, when, or how) with direct objects (which receive the action).

Question 5. It's advisable to wash your hands before eating.
Answer: Transitive - In this sentence, the verb "wash" acts on "your hands", which is the direct object. The hands receive the action of washing.
In simple words: The verb "wash" has something after it (your hands) that receives the action, so it's transitive.

Exam Tip: Possessive pronouns like "your" often precede the direct object noun.