Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Exercises with Answers

Transitive Intransitive Verbs Exercises with Answers

Are you looking for transitive and intransitive verbs exercises with answers?
This page provides clear explanations, multiple practice exercises, and answer keys to help you master the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs in English.

These exercises are perfect for:

  • ESL/EFL learners
  • High school students
  • Teachers looking for ready-to-use grammar practice

Before starting, remember:

  • Transitive verbs take a direct object.
  • Intransitive verbs do NOT take a direct object.
Quiz Time For English Learners: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Exercise
Quiz Time For English Learners (Transitive Intransitive Verbs Exercises with Answers)

Try the exercises below on transitive and intransitive verbs and click the button to check your answers.

Before doing the exercises, you may want to read the lesson on transitive and intransitive verbs.

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Exercises with Answers

Exercise 1: Identify Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Decide whether the verbs in bold are transitive or intransitive

  1. She was crying all day long.
  2. We showed her the photo album.
  3. The doctor advised me to exercise regularly.
  4. It was raining at that time.
  5. She laughed at the joke.
  6. She gave a cookie to the child.
  7. They slept in the street.
  8. I ate the cherries.
  9. My father doesn't drink coffee. .
  10. He always keeps his money in a wallet.

Additional Exercises about Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Need more practice? Here are more exercises to understand the difference betwen transitive and intransitive verbs.

Exercise 2 – Fill in the Blanks with Transitive Verbs

Use the verbs from the box below to complete the sentences. (Remember: Transitive verbs need a direct object to complete their meaning.)

  • Verb List: paint – eat – read – buy – break – close – kick – wear – write – wash
  1. Please _______ the window; it’s cold outside.
  2. The children always _______ their cereal in the morning.
  3. I often _______ novels at that bookstore.
  4. We _______ long letters to our lovely grandmother.
  5. Let’s _______ the walls.
  6. Did you accidentally _______ my favorite mug?
  7. Please _______ the ball.
  8. I usually _______ my hands before dinner.
  9. She didn’t _______ a red dress for the party.
  10. _______ your homework to class next time
1. Please close the window; it’s cold outside. (Object: “the window”)
2. The children always eat their cereal in the morning. (Object: “their cereal”)
3. I often buy novels at that bookstore. (Object: “novels”)
4. We write long letters to our lovely grandmother. (Object: “long letters”)
5. Let’s paint the walls. (Object: “the walls”)
6. Did you accidentally break my favorite mug? (Object: “my favorite mug”)
7. Please kick the ball. (Object: “the ball”)
8. I usually wash my hands before dinner. (Object: “my hands”)
9. She didn’t wear a red dress for the party. (Object: “a red dress”)
10. Bring your homework to class next time. (Object: ” your homework”)
(All verbs take a direct object.)

Exercise 3 – Fill in the Blanks with Intransitive Verbs

Use the verbs from the box below to complete the sentences. (Remember: Intransitive verbs do NOT take a direct object. They express an action that is complete by itself.)

  • Verb List: exist – cough – kneel – rise – sit – wait – bark – arrive – smile – dance
  1. The sun will _______ at 6:30 tomorrow morning.
  2. The train will _______ at platform 3.
  3. Did the old church _______ for over 200 years?
  4. The dog didn’t _______ last night.
  5. Please _______ quietly in your chair.
  6. You have to _______ for your turn.
  7. Did he _______ because of the dust?
  8. Everyone started to _______ to the music.
  9. She couldn’t help but _______ at the good news.
  10. The fans had to _______ before the queen.
1. The sun will rise at 6:30 tomorrow morning.
2. The train will arrive at platform 3.
3. Did the old church exist for over 200 years?
4. The dog didn’t bark last night.
5. Please sit quietly in your chair.
6. Wait for your turn.
7. Did he cough because of the dust?
8. Everyone started to dance to the music.
9. She couldn’t help but smile at the good news.
10. The fans had to kneel before the queen.
(These verbs do NOT take a direct object.)
  • Is “She was crying all day long” transitive or intransitive?
    • → Intransitive (no object)
  • Is “The doctor advised me to exercise regularly” transitive or intransitive?
    • → Transitive (“me” is the object)

Review: How to Identify Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Recap banner for a review of transitive and intransitive verbs

Ask yourself:

👉 Does the verb answer “what?” or “whom?”
If YES → Transitive
If NO → Intransitive

Example:
She opened the window.
Opened what? → the window → Transitive

She slept peacefully.
Slept what? → nothing → Intransitive

Frequently Asked Questions -Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

What is a transitive verb?

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

What is an intransitive verb?

An intransitive verb does not take a direct object.

Can a verb be both transitive and intransitive?

Yes. Some verbs can be both.
Example:
– She runs every morning. (Intransitive)
– She runs a company. (Transitive)

Are linking verbs transitive?

No. Linking verbs connect the subject to a complement, not an object.

How can I practice transitive and intransitive verbs?

The best way is by doing exercises with answers and identifying whether the verb takes an object.

Tags: Exercises on Parts of SpeechExercises on Verbs
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