What are some common transitive verbs?

In one line

The rule

A transitive verb is a verb that requires an object to receive the action.

The object is the person or thing affected by the action.

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you say, "She kicked." This feels incomplete. You want to know: kicked what? Now say, "She kicked the ball." Here, "kicked" is a transitive verb. The action (kicking) goes from the person to the ball (the object).

A transitive verb always needs something or someone to receive the action. Without an object, the sentence feels unfinished.

How it works

1. The subject does the action. (e.g., "Ravi eats...")
2. The verb shows the action. ("eats")
3. The object receives the action. ("...rice")
4. Without the object, the sentence is incomplete. ("Ravi eats" — what?)

Where you see it in real life

• Cricket match: "Virat hit the ball." ("hit" is transitive; "the ball" is the object)
• Kitchen: "Mother cooked dinner." ("cooked" is transitive; "dinner" is the object)
• Classroom: "The teacher asked a question." ("asked" is transitive; "a question" is the object)
• Market: "She bought vegetables." ("bought" is transitive; "vegetables" is the object)
• Home: "Father repaired the fan." ("repaired" is transitive; "the fan" is the object)
• Cycle shop: "He fixed the tyre." ("fixed" is transitive; "the tyre" is the object)

Why it matters

• Helps you write clear, complete sentences.
• Useful in exams for identifying verbs and objects.
• Needed for correct grammar in speaking and writing.
• Many instructions and commands use transitive verbs ("Close the door.")

Common mistakes

• Thinking all verbs need an object (some do not — those are intransitive).
• Forgetting to include the object, making the sentence incomplete.
• Confusing the object with the subject.

Remember it

A transitive verb always needs an object. Ask: "What?" or "Whom?" after the verb — if you get an answer, it's transitive.