Transitive
adjective
In grammar, a transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object.
In the sentence 'She loves cats', 'loves' is a transitive verb because it is acting on the object 'cats'.
Often appears as...
- transitive verb
- transitive action
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In mathematics, a relation is transitive if whenever an element a is related to an element b, and b is related to an element c, then a is also related to c.
If John is taller than Mary, and Mary is taller than Lucy, then John is also taller than Lucy. 'Being taller than' is a transitive relation.
Often appears as...
- transitive relation
- transitive property
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In grammar, a transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object.
In the sentence 'She loves cats', 'loves' is a transitive verb because it is acting on the object 'cats'.
Often appears as...
- transitive verb
- transitive action
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In mathematics, a relation is transitive if whenever an element a is related to an element b, and b is related to an element c, then a is also related to c.
If John is taller than Mary, and Mary is taller than Lucy, then John is also taller than Lucy. 'Being taller than' is a transitive relation.
Often appears as...
- transitive relation
- transitive property
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Context Clues
Look for objects receiving the action to identify transitive verbs in sentences.
He kicked the ball.
Pro Tip 2/3Object Omission
A sentence may imply an object, making a transitive verb seem intransitive. Context matters.
She reads (books).
Pro Tip 3/3Passive Voice
Transitive verbs can be used in passive voice where the object comes before the verb.
Cats are loved by her.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Clues
Look for objects receiving the action to identify transitive verbs in sentences.
He kicked the ball.
Pro Tip 2/3Object Omission
A sentence may imply an object, making a transitive verb seem intransitive. Context matters.
She reads (books).
Pro Tip 3/3Passive Voice
Transitive verbs can be used in passive voice where the object comes before the verb.
Cats are loved by her.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Clues
Look for objects receiving the action to identify transitive verbs in sentences.
He kicked the ball.
Pro Tip 2/3Object Omission
A sentence may imply an object, making a transitive verb seem intransitive. Context matters.
She reads (books).
Pro Tip 3/3Passive Voice
Transitive verbs can be used in passive voice where the object comes before the verb.
Cats are loved by her.
Never forget "Transitive"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
National Geographic...
these culture traditions, cultural traditions on to the other chimps, and keep this thing going. These are cichlids and they are really crazy. They have this thing called transitive inference, right, and it's the same kind of logical reasoning that we use when we go into a bar.
Video examples
Steven Pinker: What our...
The verb is the chassis of the sentence. It's the framework onto which the other parts are bolted. Let me give you a quick reminder of something that you've long forgotten. An intransitive verb, such as "dine," for example,
Video examples
Orange Seals on British...
comm intransitive attention IC pups less than a day old swimming on the first high tide of their birth two males spar
Video examples
National Geographic...
these culture traditions, cultural traditions on to the other chimps, and keep this thing going. These are cichlids and they are really crazy. They have this thing called transitive inference, right, and it's the same kind of logical reasoning that we use when we go into a bar.
Video examples
Steven Pinker: What our...
The verb is the chassis of the sentence. It's the framework onto which the other parts are bolted. Let me give you a quick reminder of something that you've long forgotten. An intransitive verb, such as "dine," for example,
Video examples
Orange Seals on British...
comm intransitive attention IC pups less than a day old swimming on the first high tide of their birth two males spar
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Joshua Cohen
American Writer
I do think that once you remove the limitations of the page, once you turn text transitive, meaning it can be clicked away from, the forward movement of text can be interrupted. But I don't think this is just a function of technology. It's also a function of cultural preference.
Quote examples
William Ames
English Philosopher
Active creation is conceived as a transitive action in which there is always presupposed an object about which the agent is concerned; it is virtually but not formally transitive because it makes, not presupposes, an object.
Quote examples
Gordon W. Allport
American Psychologist
Personality is less a finished product than a transitive process. While it has some stable features, it is at the same time continually undergoing change.
Quote examples
Rumaan Alam
American Author
Usually, when you see clothes on a model, by some transitive property, that garment is imbued with her beauty.
Quote examples
Joshua Cohen
American Writer
I do think that once you remove the limitations of the page, once you turn text transitive, meaning it can be clicked away from, the forward movement of text can be interrupted. But I don't think this is just a function of technology. It's also a function of cultural preference.
Quote examples
William Ames
English Philosopher
Active creation is conceived as a transitive action in which there is always presupposed an object about which the agent is concerned; it is virtually but not formally transitive because it makes, not presupposes, an object.
Quote examples
Gordon W. Allport
American Psychologist
Personality is less a finished product than a transitive process. While it has some stable features, it is at the same time continually undergoing change.
Quote examples
Rumaan Alam
American Author
Usually, when you see clothes on a model, by some transitive property, that garment is imbued with her beauty.
Example 1 of 4
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension