14.1 ACTION VERBS
14.1.1 An action verb tells what action someone or something is performing.
EXAMPLES
Father carries the ladder.
The ship chugged into the harbor.
I believe it will snow.
Sandor remembered to bring his puzzle.
The verb carries explains what Father does with the ladder. The verb chugged tells what the
ship did. The verb believe explains my action about the weather. The verb remembered
explains Sandor's action with the puzzle. Some actions, such as carries or chugged, can be seen.
Some actions, such as believe or remembered, cannot be seen.
14.1.2 An action verb is transitive if the receiver of the action is named in the sentence. The
receiver of the action is called the object of the verb.
EXAMPLES
Pete opened the window with great difficulty.
The truck suddenly hit the trashcan.
14.1.3 An action verb is intransitive if there is no receiver of the action named in the sentence.
An intransitive verb does not have an object.
EXAMPLES
The race began on time.
The bus raced through the traffic light.
Students gathered in the gym.
Some action verbs can be transitive or intransitive. You need to determine if the verb has an
object or not.
Transitive Verb
Amy painted the front door.
Intransitive Verb
Amy painted in her studio.
Transitive Verb
Intransitive Verb
The captain sailed the ship.
The captain sailed out to sea.