B2adjectiveformallanguageeducation
US/ˈtræn.sə.tɪv/
UK/ˈtræn.sɪ.tɪv/
describing a verb that needs a direct object to complete its meaning
In context
In "She opened the door," the verb "opened" is transitive because it has an object.
My teacher asked us to mark each transitive verb in the paragraph.
Many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, such as "read" and "cook".
Words that go with transitive
adjective + noun
- transitive verb"Buy" is a transitive verb because you buy something.
- a transitive useThis dictionary shows the transitive use of each verb first.
- transitive senseThe transitive sense of "run" is "to manage a business".
adverb + adjective
- both transitive and intransitive"Break" can be both transitive and intransitive.
verb + adjective
- be transitiveIn this sentence the verb "take" is transitive.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I arrived the airport.Correct: I arrived at the airport.