Attributive, transitive and intransitive verbs

🎬 Attributive verb 🎬

An attributive verb is a verb that modifies (expresses an attribute of) a noun in the manner of an attributive adjective  rather than express an independent idea as a predicate.

In English (and in most European languages), verb forms that can be used attributively are typically non-infinite forms—participles and infinitives—as well as certain verb-derived words that function as ordinary adjectives. All words of these types may be called, although those of the latter type (those that behave grammatically like ordinary adjectives, with no verb-like features) may be distinguished as deverbal adjectives. An example of a verbal adjective with verb-like features is the word wearing in the sentence The man wearing a hat is my father (it behaves as a verb in taking an object, a hat, although the resulting phrase wearing a hat functions like an attributive adjective in modifying man). An example of a deverbal adjective is the word interesting in That was a very interesting speech; although it is derived from the verb to interest, it behaves here entirely like an ordinary adjective such as nice or long.

😄 Intransitive verbs 😄

An intransitive verb does not have an object. In the following sentences, cry, work, laugh, and talk are intransitive verbs:

The baby was crying.

I work for a large firm in Paris.

They laughed uncontrollably.

We talked for hours.

😶 Transitive verbs 😶

verb is one that is used with an object: a noun, phrase, or pronoun that refers to the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. In the following sentences, admire, maintain, face, and love are transitive verbs:

I admire your courage.

We need to maintain product quality.

I couldn’t face him today.

She loves animals.

 Some transitive verbs can be used with a direct object and an indirect object:

Liz brought	her	a glass of water.
	[indirect object]	[direct object]
He sent	her	a letter.
	[indirect object]	[direct object]

Read more about direct and indirect object.

Here is a short list of some common verbs that can take a direct and indirect object:

Verb	Example
give	Pat gave me a book for my birthday.
buy	Can I buy you a drink?
pass	Paul passed her a cup of coffee.
make	Shall I make us some lunch?
sell	Jenny was trying to sell me her car.
take	We took Maria some flowers and wine.
show	Show me your holiday photos.
offer	The company has offered me a job.
leave	Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you.
wish	Everyone wished us all the best for the future.
lend	Could you lend me £20?
cost	Ben’s mistake cost him his job.