Transitive and intransitive verbs worksheet

Verbs that are followed by objects are called transitive verbs. Verbs that are not normally followed by objects are called intransitive verbs.

Name the verbs in the following sentences and state whether they are used transitively or intransitively.

1. Some ants fight fiercely.

2. The explosion sank the ship.

3. He spoke the truth.

4. He spoke loudly.

5. Boil the water.

6. The motorman stopped the train.

7. The horse kicked the boy.

8. The sun rises in the morning.

9. The watchman blew his whistle.

10. The poor widow killed herself.

11. He took shelter under a tree.

12. The birds sang sweetly.

13. The fire burns brightly.

14. Birds fly in the sky.

15. Time heals all wounds.

Answers

1. Intransitive verb – fight; no object

2. Transitive verb – sank; object – the ship

3. Transitive verb – spoke; object – the truth

4. Intransitive verb – spoke; no object

5. Transitive verb – boil; object – the water

6. Transitive verb – stopped; object – the train

7. Transitive verb – kicked; object – the boy

8. Intransitive verb – rises; no object

9. Transitive verb – blew; object – his whistle

10. Transitive verb – killed; object – herself

11. Transitive verb – took; object – shelter

12. Intransitive verb – sang; no object

13. Intransitive verb – burns; no object

14. Intransitive verb – fly; no object

15. Transitive verb – heals; object – all wounds

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