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Transitive vs intransitive verbs Exercises in English language

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Understanding the distinction between transitive and intransitive verbs is essential for mastering the structure and clarity of English sentences. Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning, answering the questions "what?" or "whom?" after the verb. For example, in the sentence "She reads a book," "reads" is a transitive verb, and "a book" is its direct object. On the other hand, intransitive verbs do not need a direct object to convey a complete thought. In the sentence "He runs," "runs" is an intransitive verb, and the sentence is complete without additional information. Grasping these differences not only enhances your grammatical accuracy but also enriches your expressive capabilities in both written and spoken English. By identifying whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, you can construct sentences that are both precise and nuanced. This page offers a series of exercises designed to help you practice and solidify your understanding of transitive and intransitive verbs, ensuring you can apply this knowledge confidently in various contexts. Dive into the exercises to test your skills and refine your command of English grammar.

Exercise 1

1. She *wrote* a letter to her friend (verb for creating text). 2. The cat *slept* on the couch all day (verb for resting). 3. He *fixed* the broken bike in the garage (verb for repairing). 4. The children *played* in the park until sunset (verb for engaging in fun activities). 5. They *ordered* pizza for dinner last night (verb for requesting food). 6. She *laughed* at the funny joke (verb for expressing amusement). 7. The gardener *planted* new flowers in the garden (verb for putting plants in soil). 8. The dog *barked* loudly at the stranger (verb for making noise). 9. He *read* a fascinating book over the weekend (verb for looking at written text). 10. The chef *cooked* a delicious meal for the guests (verb for preparing food).

Exercise 2

1. She *baked* a delicious cake for her friend's birthday (verb for making food). 2. The cat *slept* on the warm windowsill all afternoon (verb for resting). 3. They *painted* the house a bright blue color (verb for applying color). 4. The children *played* happily in the park (verb for engaging in an activity for fun). 5. He *dropped* the book on the floor by accident (verb for letting something fall). 6. The teacher *explained* the lesson clearly to the students (verb for making something clear). 7. She *laughed* at the funny joke he told (verb for expressing amusement). 8. They *organized* the event perfectly (verb for arranging things in order). 9. The dog *barked* loudly at the mailman (verb for making a loud sound). 10. He *finished* his homework before dinner (verb for completing a task).

Exercise 3

1. She *baked* a cake for her friend's birthday (verb related to cooking). 2. The baby *cried* loudly throughout the night (verb expressing emotion). 3. They *built* a new playground for the children (verb related to construction). 4. The flowers *bloomed* beautifully in the spring (verb related to growth). 5. He *answered* the phone quickly when it rang (verb related to communication). 6. The students *studied* for their exams all weekend (verb related to learning). 7. The dog *barked* at the mailman (verb expressing sound). 8. She *forgot* her keys on the kitchen counter (verb related to memory). 9. The author *wrote* a novel over the summer (verb related to writing). 10. The wind *blew* the leaves off the trees (verb related to weather).