Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to decide if the underlined verb is
transitive or
intransitive.
Remember:
- A
transitive verb needs an object — something that receives the action. Ask: “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb. If you can answer, it’s transitive.
- An
intransitive verb does NOT have an object. The action stops with the subject.
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1. When he
arrived, nobody was there to greet him.
→ Did he arrive *something*? No. “Arrived” doesn’t take an object.
✔ Intransitive
2. I
bought a bicycle so I can go to school faster.
→ Bought *what*? A bicycle → object!
✔ Transitive
3. The boy
laughed so much that milk came out of his nose.
→ Laughed *what*? Nothing. You don’t laugh “something.”
✔ Intransitive
4. He
reads books to help him fall asleep.
→ Reads *what*? Books → object!
✔ Transitive
5. Jim is
sleeping so don’t be so loud.
→ Sleeping *what*? Nothing. Sleep doesn’t take an object.
✔ Intransitive
6. When I
lie down, I like to sleep on my back.
→ Lie *what*? Nothing. “Lie” here means to recline — no object.
✔ Intransitive
7. In order to
catch up in class, she wrote an essay.
→ Catch up *what*? Actually, “catch up” is a phrasal verb meaning to reach the same level. It doesn’t take a direct object here (“in class” is a prepositional phrase).
✔ Intransitive (Note: “Catch up” can sometimes be transitive, but not here.)
8. The man
sneezed so hard that he fell from his chair.
→ Sneezed *what*? Nothing. Sneezing doesn’t act on anything.
✔ Intransitive
9. She
sat down patiently waiting for her homework.
→ Sat *what*? Nothing. Sitting doesn’t require an object.
✔ Intransitive
10. For about an hour, they
passed the ball back and forth.
→ Passed *what*? The ball → object!
✔ Transitive
11. The family
turned off the light and went to sleep.
→ Turned off *what*? The light → object!
✔ Transitive
12. We
moved the tables next to each other.
→ Moved *what*? The tables → object!
✔ Transitive
13. He
puts on his winter boots because it’s so cold outside.
→ Puts on *what*? His winter boots → object!
✔ Transitive
14. They
waited but nobody helped them find their room.
→ Waited *what*? Nothing. Waiting doesn’t take an object.
✔ Intransitive
15. The train
stopped abruptly.
→ Stopped *what*? Nothing. The train stopped itself — no object.
✔ Intransitive
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Final Answer:
1. Intransitive
2. Transitive
3. Intransitive
4. Transitive
5. Intransitive
6. Intransitive
7. Intransitive
8. Intransitive
9. Intransitive
10. Transitive
11. Transitive
12. Transitive
13. Transitive
14. Intransitive
15. Intransitive
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of transitive verb worksheet.
