How to Use Transitive Verbs

Knowing how to correctly use transitive verbs doesn't require much thought, once you know the rules. English doesn't distinguish between transitive and intransitive verbs, so we must look at how we're using the verb in each sentence.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Examine the word "transitive." It comes from a Latin word which means "to go across." A transitive verb is a verb that goes across to a direct object.

2. Determine if you need a direct object to get your message through to your reader. A direct object receives the action of the transitive verb, as in "The dog chased the squirrel." "Chased" is the transitive verb carrying the action across to the squirrel, which is the direct object.

3. Shorten the sentence to the subject and verb to simplify matters if you're uncertain. "I turned" completes the thought if you mean that you yourself turned. If you mean that you turned something, you must include the direct object which changes "turned" into a transitive verb, as in "I turned the computer on."

4. Use transitive verbs when you want your writing to move. Some intransitive verbs, such as "sleep," "stand" and "sit" can stall the action.

5. Choose lively transitive verbs to carry your meaning across. Instead of writing, "He quickly picked up the book," substitute "grabbed" or "snatched" to present a more precise mental picture of what you mean.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using transitive verbs in passive sentences, such as "The squirrel was chased by the dog." Crisp English writing favors active sentences.