A verb that does not take a direct object is called what?

A verb that does not take a direct object is called what?

• A. Transitive verb
• B. Intransitive verb
• C. Auxiliary verb
• D. Linking verb

Answer: (B)

Verbs that don’t take a direct object describe actions that stay with the subject; these are intransitive. For example, in “The cat slept,” there’s no object receiving the action, so the verb stands alone with the subject. In contrast, a transitive verb requires a direct object to receive the action, as in “She read a book,” where “a book” is the object. Auxiliary verbs are helpers used with the main verb to show tense or mood, not about whether the verb takes an object. Linking verbs connect the subject to a description or identity (like seems, becomes) and aren’t defined by taking a direct object either. So the term for a verb that does not take a direct object is intransitive.

Verbs that don’t take a direct object describe actions that stay with the subject; these are intransitive. For example, in “The cat slept,” there’s no object receiving the action, so the verb stands alone with the subject. In contrast, a transitive verb requires a direct object to receive the action, as in “She read a book,” where “a book” is the object. Auxiliary verbs are helpers used with the main verb to show tense or mood, not about whether the verb takes an object. Linking verbs connect the subject to a description or identity (like seems, becomes) and aren’t defined by taking a direct object either. So the term for a verb that does not take a direct object is intransitive.