Transitive and intransitive verbs in English: main differences

30 January 2026

English-learners

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

In English, as in many other languages, the verb is an independent part of speech. It is through verbs that we express actions or states of specific objects and phenomena. English verbs are classified according to various criteria: they can be regular or irregular, auxiliary or lexical. This classification usually does not cause difficulties for language learners. However, the concept of transitive and intransitive verbs often becomes challenging for beginners.

Therefore, let us take a closer look at what transitive and intransitive verbs are, what the difference between them is, and how to use them correctly in speech according to grammatical rules.

Transitive verbs: what they are and how they are used

Transitive verbs are verbs that обязательно require an object. In a sentence, they must be followed by an object that the action is directed toward. Without this element, the statement becomes grammatically or logically incomplete.

She ordered a coffee.
They repaired the car yesterday.

If we consider the verbs ordered and repaired separately, it becomes obvious that they require clarification: what exactly was ordered and what was repaired. This need for an object is the key feature of a transitive verb.

In English, transitive verbs are divided into three main types depending on sentence structure.

Monotransitive verbs. Used only with a direct object.
She chose a dress. — She chose a dress.
Ditransitive verbs. Can take both a direct and an indirect object.
He sent her a message. — He sent her a message.
Complex transitive verbs. Combine a direct object with an additional characteristic or complement.
They considered the plan successful. — They considered the plan successful.

Examples of transitive verbs:

create — to create;
repair — to repair;
control — to control;
decorate — to decorate;
approve — to approve;
transport — to transport;
recommend — to recommend;
solve — to solve;
organize — to organize;
deliver — to deliver;
produce — to produce;
protect — to protect;
improve — to improve;
design — to design;
replace — to replace;
collect — to collect;
measure — to measure;
reduce — to reduce;
purchase — to purchase;
construct — to construct;
inform — to inform;
cancel — to cancel;
achieve — to achieve;
confirm — to confirm;
explain — to explain.

In practice, it is important to remember that the transitivity of a verb often depends on context rather than on the word itself. That is why, when studying grammar, it is essential to pay attention not only to verb lists but also to complete sentences and real-life language situations.

Intransitive verbs: how to identify them

Intransitive verbs are verbs that do not require an object. They are self-sufficient and convey a state or an action that is not directed at a specific object.

The baby is sleeping.
They are running in the park.

In these examples, the verbs sleeping and running do not need additional clarification for the sentence to be clear. However, if we add an object, for example: He is playing chess, then the word chess becomes an object, and the verb play functions as a transitive verb in this context.

Intransitive verbs can describe a wide variety of phenomena, including:

movement of people, animals, or objects;
physical or emotional states;
everyday or professional activities;
location of objects in space;
personality traits or behavior.

In English, there is a large group of intransitive verbs that can take an object only when used with a preposition. Without a preposition, such constructions are considered grammatically incorrect.

To listen to.
Please listen to the instructions carefully.

To wait for.
She is waiting for the bus.

To look for.
We are looking for a new apartment.

One of the most common difficulties for English learners is distinguishing between the verbs lay and lie.

Lay — a transitive verb that always requires a direct object.
She laid the book on the table.

Lie — an intransitive verb that does not require an object.
The cat is lying on the sofa.

A distinctive feature of English is that transitive and intransitive verbs are often semantically similar to reflexive verbs that exist in Ukrainian. Because of this, beginners often confuse verb types and try to add unnecessary objects. Understanding the difference between these grammatical categories significantly simplifies the learning process.

Examples of intransitive verbs:

arrive;
lie;
fall;
collapse;
sit;
sneeze;
bark;
sleep;
wink;
depart;
stand;
swim;
die;
weep;
happen;
rise;
laugh;
remain;
exist.

These verbs help describe events, states, and movement concisely, without unnecessary words or complex constructions. The more often you pay attention to the context in which such verbs are used, the easier it becomes to intuitively feel when an object is not needed.

Verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive

In English, there is a separate group of verbs that can be used as both transitive and intransitive depending on context. In such cases, the verb type is determined not by the word itself but by the presence or absence of an object in the sentence.

Examples:

He won the match. (The verb won is transitive, because it has an adverb).
He won again. (The verb won is intransitive).

She lost the competition. (Transitive use).
She lost badly. (Intransitive use).

An interesting example is the verb lose, which has several meanings in English. It can mean “to lose a competition” or “to misplace something.” Its grammatical behavior depends on its meaning.

In the meaning “to lose a competition,” lose can be used without an object:
I lost again.

In the meaning “to misplace,” the verb always requires an object:
I lost my keys.
She lost her phone.

Without an object, the sentence would be incomplete in this case.

Many commonly used verbs belong to this group:

burn;
enter;
cheer;
begin;
improve;
drop;
move;
call;
write;
eat;
sing;
hear;
walk;
grow;
run;
change;
turn;
open.

In dictionaries, transitive and intransitive verbs are usually marked with the letters T (transitive) and I (intransitive). If both symbols are indicated, the verb can function in both roles depending on context.

Hidden transitivity and intransitivity

In addition to explicit transitivity, English also has hidden transitivity, which most often appears in passive constructions. In such cases, it is important to correctly identify who performs the action and who receives it, even if the agent is not explicitly mentioned.

Sarah was offered a job.
The guests were invited earlier.

In the passive voice, the subject does not perform the action but undergoes it, which indicates the hidden transitivity of the verb.

To determine whether a verb is transitive, try removing the object from the sentence. If the meaning changes significantly or the sentence becomes unclear, the verb is transitive. If the meaning remains intact, it is most likely intransitive. However, the most reliable way to check is to consult a dictionary. Happy learning!