rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytransitiveTaking a direct object
adjective

transitive

TRAN-zuh-tiv/ˈtrænzətɪv/

Describing a verb that takes a direct object.

In “the girl kicks the ball,” “kicks” is a transitive verb.

Girl kicks ball: actor, action and direct object in concrete example.
Etymology
transLatinacross, beyond
+itLatinto go
+iveLatincharacterized by

The underlying image is of passing across to another person or thing. In grammar, this describes a verb whose action passes to a direct object.

In context

SOAS University of London3:09
intransitive and transitive subjects
Dr David Peterson (Dartmouth), "Progress in the analysis of Kuki-Chin morphosyntax"

More examples

  • The verb “carry” is transitive in “I carry a bag.”
  • Some verbs have both transitive and intransitive uses.
  • In its transitive use, “grow” can mean raising plants.

Forms

transitive

transitivity noun — The grammatical property of taking a direct object.