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How do you know if a phrasal verb is transitive or intransitive?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 11, 2026

Transitive phrasal verbs have a direct object:

  • E.g. I will set up a meeting with the manager.
  • Intransitive phrasal verbs have no direct object:
  • E.g. Francesco said he would meet us at 6pm, but he never showed up.
  • Remember! ...
  • E.g. look up.
  • Transitive: It is important to look up any new vocabulary in a dictionary.

How do you know if a phrasal verbs is transitive and intransitive?

Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable. Phrasal verbs in English are transitive or intransitive. The transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable, but the Intransitive phrasal verbs cannot be separated.

Can a phrasal verb be intransitive?

An intransitive phrasal verb would mean then that we have a phrasal verb with no direct object. Here are some examples: He 'stepped aside' for the bicyclist.

Can a phrasal verb be both transitive and intransitive?

Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive. Transitive verbs are followed by a direct object. Intransitive verbs are not followed by a direct object but can optionally be followed by an indirect object.

How do you identify a transitive verb?

Recognize a transitive verb when you find one.

A transitive verb has two characteristics. First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like kick, want, paint, write, eat, clean, etc. Second, it must have a direct object, something or someone who receives the action of the verb.

16 related questions found

What is an example of intransitive verb?

Common intransitive verbs include words like “run,” “rain,” “die,” “sneeze,” “sit,” and “smile,” which do not require a direct or indirect object. For example, in the simple sentence, "He walks," the intransitive verb “walks” is not being done to someone or something.

What's transitive and intransitive?

A verb can be described as transitive or intransitive based on whether it requires an object to express a complete thought or not. A transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object. An intransitive verb will make sense without one. Some verbs may be used both ways.

How do you know if a phrasal verb is separable?

A separable Phrasal verb means that it can be separated by another word that goes in between the verb and the particle. This word is usually the subject that the phrasal verb is referring to. For example: 'I need to put my jacket on'-> In this case, 'jacket' is in between the phrasal verb.

What do you know about phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are multi-word verbs. They are made up of two or three words; the combination of words takes on a completely different meaning to the verb part. More often than not a non-native speaker can make sense of the individual parts but cannot grasp the meaning of the whole phrase.

Has transitive or intransitive?

Answer and Explanation: "Have" and all forms of the verb "to have" are transitive verbs. "Have" is transitive as it requires an object to present a complete idea.

Is left transitive or intransitive?

be left [transitive] to remain to be used, sold, etc.

What does it mean if a verb is transitive?

A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object, which is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that follows the verb and completes the sentence's meaning by indicating the person or thing that receives the action of the verb.

What are 10 examples of intransitive?

In these sentences the intransitive verb is requires other words to complete the predication.
...
An intransitive verb is a verb that does not require an object to complete the sense.

  • The cat purrs.
  • The canary sings sweetly.
  • The horse runs.
  • The children laughed heartily.
  • The steamer sails at noon.

How do you identify intransitive and transitive verbs in Hindi?

Transitive verbs are verbs which normally have a direct object. Some transitive verbs you know are: खाना (to eat), चलाना (to drive), ख़रीदना (to buy), etc. Intransitive verbs, on the other hand, never have a direct object. These include जाना (to go), आना (to come), होना (to be), etc.

Is Think transitive or intransitive?

"Think" can be transitive or intransitive.

What is transitive verb give 3 examples?

Some other examples of transitive verbs are "address," "borrow," "bring," "discuss," "raise," "offer," "pay," "write," "promise," and "have." The instructor addressed the student's question. Miriam borrowed the methodology book from her classmate because she forgot her copy.

Which sentence has a transitive verb?

The correct answer is I killed a snake last night. A transitive verb is a verb that can take a direct object. In other words, the action of a transitive verb is done to someone or something.

Is laugh transitive or intransitive?

(Laugh is an intransitive verb and does not take any object.

Is saw an intransitive verb?

saw. 1[intransitive, transitive] to use a saw to cut something The workmen sawed and hammered all day. + adv./prep. He accidentally sawed through a cable. saw something (+ adv./prep.)

How do you use phrasal verbs correctly?

Phrasal verbs are used just like verbs—you can use them anywhere they make sense! For example: the phrase “turn off” can be used just like that, or it can be interrupted by stating what you're turning off. In other words, you can say “turn off the TV,” but you can also say “turn the TV off.” Both are correct!

How do you read phrasal verbs?

USEFUL TIPS FOR LEARNING PHRASAL VERBS

  1. Don't group them by verb. Discover & share this Laughing GIF with everyone you know. ...
  2. Group them by particle (up, off, out, away, etc.) Discover & share this Interesting GIF with everyone you know. ...
  3. Group them by topic. ...
  4. Learn them in context. ...
  5. Use them in a story.

Is find out separable or inseparable?

Find Out is a separable phrasal verb and has 1 definition.