Transitive and intransitive verbs

1. Transitive verbs must have a direct object; without a direct object, the sentence makes no sense:
1. I bought a new computer ('bought' is a transitive verb and 'a new computer' is a direct object)
2. I bought (without a direct object, this sentence makes no sense)
3. Mike likes chocolate ('likes' is a transitive verb and 'chocolate' is a direct object)
4. Mike likes (without a direct object, this sentence makes no sense)
2. Intransitive verbs can't have a direct object. Intransitive verbs also can't make a passive.
1. They arrived ('arrived' is an intransitive verb; there is no direct object)
2. The children are sleeping ('sleeping' is an intransitive verb; there is no direct object)
3. Many verbs have a transitive and an intransitive form:
1. John ate the pizza (transitive)
2. John ate (intransitive)
4. Some verbs that have more than one meaning can be transitive or intransitive depending on which meaning is being used.
1. I see the mountains ('see' = see with your eyes; this is a transitive verb)
2. I see ('see' = understand; this is an intransitive verb)