An ELT Glossary : Intransitive verbs




  • Definition : An intransitive verb is a verb which is not followed by an object.


  • Examples : sneeze/cough - He sneezed and coughed all the way home.

  • Some verbs, like those in the examples, are always intransitive. Others can be used either transitively (with an object) or intransitively - eg  study -  He studies linguistics (transitive) or He studies every evening (intransitive).