Grammar 20 - Transitive Verbs and their Objects

Transitive and intransitive verbs are verbs that have different characteristics. Transitive verbs require an object after them to ensure correct meaning is expressed. As in the following sentences:

‘At a young age, Chiranjivi Milkha Singh BECAME a professional golfer.’ - Here the verb BECAME cannot express itself completely without the object that follows it, 'a professional golfer'.

‘Chiranjivi Milkha Singh HAD a good year in 2013.’ - Here the verb HAD cannot express itself completely without the object that follows it, 'a good year'.

In order to identify transitive verbs it is useful to remember that they express an action aimed at either an idea, a thing, a person or a place and the action is transferred from the subject to the receiver of the action. The words that are associated with the action of the transitive verbs are not only objects but also nouns. Transitive verbs are always action verbs.