There are two major types of verbs: transitive verbs and intransitive verbs. Whereas a “transitive verb” takes an object, an “intransitive verb” does not take an object. Again, whereas a transitive verb occurs in a sentence with the SVO syntactic structure, an intransitive verb occurs in a sentence with an SV structure. Note that SVO structure refers to Subject + Verb +Object, and SV structure refers to Subject + Verb. As it is, in order to get a clear perspective of transitive verbs and intransitive verbs, look at the following illustrative examples.
TRANSITIVE VERB: SVO STRUCTURE.
Example.
Sentence: The boys are playing basketball.
Analysis:
The boys = subject (S).
are playing = verb (V).
basketball = object (O).
TRANSITIVE VERB: SVO STRUCTURE + ADVERBIAL.
Example.
Sentence: The boys are playing basketball in the park.
Analysis:
The boys = subject.
are playing = verb.
basketball = object.
in the park = adverbial (prepositional phrase).
INTRANSITIVE VERB: SV STRUCTURE.
Example.
Sentence: The boys are fighting.
Analysis:
The boys = subject (S).
are fighting = verb (V).
INTRANSITIVE VERB: SV STRUCTURE + ADVERBIAL.
Example.
Sentence: The boys are fighting in the park.
Analysis:
The boys = subject.
are fighting = verb.
in the park = adverbial (prepositional phrase).
NOTE: The verb “play” (are playing) is a transitive in that it takes the object “basketball.” The verb “fight” (are fighting) is an intransitive verb in that it does take an object.
There is a third type of verbs called “ditransitive verbs.” A ditransitive verb occurs in a sentence which takes a direct object and an indirect object. Look at the structure of a ditransitive verb. Look at an example of a ditransitive verb.
DITRANSITIVE VERB.
Example.
Sentence: Jennifer bought her mother a pair of earrings.
Analysis:
Jennifer = subject.
bought = verb.
her mother = object (indirect object).
a pair of earrings = object (direct object).
Structure of a ditransitive-verb sentence.
SUBJECT + VERB+ INDIRECT OBJECTIVE + DIRECT OBJECT.
NOTE: The indirect object comes immediately after the verb and before the direct object. In other words, the indirect object is placed between the verb and the direct object.
In sum, these are the three types of verbs in the English Language.