Transitive Verbs

A transitive verb is a verb that takes a direct object. It is a verb that acts on something.

  • The man ate the soup.
    (transitive verb/ate – direct object/soup)
    The verb ate is transitive because it acts on the soup.
  • She is singing a song.
    (transitive verb/sing – direct object/song)
    The verb sing is transitive because you can sing something.
  • Gary bought four beers.
    (transitive verb/bought – direct object/beer)
    The verb bought is transitive because you can buy something.

Compare with intransitive verbs.