This is particularly useful for words that can be both transitive and intransitive, like play:

If you’re in a pinch, try asking “what?” or “whom?” after the verb-if you get an answer, then it’s transitive, and if you don’t get an answer then it’s intransitive. The best way to tell the difference is by experience, but if you’re unsure whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, be sure to check a dictionary. If a verb has more than one meaning, some uses could be transitive while others are intransitive. Sometimes a verb can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the usage. However, it is correct to say, “We enjoy Anania Williams.” In this case, the verb enjoy is transitive, so we can make Anania Williams a direct object, no preposition needed. We need a prepositional phrase to explain whom we’re laughing at. Because laugh is intransitive, the sentence “We laugh Anania Williams” is incorrect. In this sentence, Anania Williams may seem like the direct object, but the preposition at shows that it’s really a prepositional phrase. It’s often difficult to tell the two types apart sometimes intransitive verbs are followed by a prepositional phrase or adverbial phrase, which are different from direct objects. Verbs that take a direct object are called transitive verbs, and those that do not are called intransitive verbs.

Some verbs, like laugh and sit, can’t use direct objects because it doesn’t make sense-you can’t laugh something or sit someone that’s gibberish. What’s the direct object? Ask yourself, “Whom did the family hug?” The answer, of course, is “dog.” Transitive vs. Don’t get the direct object confused with the subject-the noun that performs the actions-or the verb itself.ĭirect objects usually answer the questions “what?” or “whom?” Let’s take another look at the direct object example above.Īsk yourself, “What did the students eat?” The answer is the direct object, which in this case is “cake.” Let’s try a new direct object example: But first, let’s dive deeper into the essential question: What is a direct object?Ī direct object is a noun that receives the action of the verb.

Whose for objects