Transitive and Intransitive Verbs - English grammar

Introduction

A transitive verb needs a direct object to complete its meaning. An intransitive verb makes complete sense on its own, without an object.

type	needs an object?	example
transitive	yes	She bought a car.
intransitive	no	The baby slept.

Many verbs can be transitive or intransitive depending on context, sometimes with a slightly different meaning.

transitive	intransitive
She reads the newspaper every morning.	She reads every morning.
He opened the door.	The door opened by itself.
They ran the marathon.	They ran to the station.

If you can ask "what?" or "whom?" right after the verb and get a clear answer, the verb is being used transitively.

Some transitive verbs take two objects: a direct object and an indirect object. These are called ditransitive verbs.

subject+verb+indirect object+direct object

He explained me the problem.He explained the problem to me."explain" is not ditransitive
She said me hello.She said hello to me.

Verbs like explain, say, describe, and suggest cannot take an indirect object directly; they need to or for.

Which verb needs a direct object to complete its meaning?
Which sentence uses 'run' intransitively?
She gave ___.
Which sentence is correct?
He raised ___.
The sun ___.
The door ___ by itself.
I sent ___ an email.
Which sentence is correct?
Which verb can be both transitive and intransitive?
'She reads the newspaper every morning.' Is 'reads' transitive or intransitive here?
'She reads every morning.' Is 'reads' transitive or intransitive here?
Which verbs cannot take an indirect object directly?
She said hello ___.
If you can ask 'what?' or 'whom?' after the verb and get a clear answer, the verb is being used ___.

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