MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

Which of the following best defines an intransitive verb?

1. A verb that takes an object

2. A verb that does not take an object

3. A verb that modifies a noun

4. A verb that always ends in -ing

The correct answer is: A verb that does not take an object

An intransitive verb is defined as a verb that does not take an object. This means that the action expressed by the verb is not directed toward a noun; instead, the action stands alone and does not transfer to a receiver. For instance, in the sentence "She runs," the verb "runs" does not have an object. The action of running does not depict an action being received by a person, animal, or thing. The first choice refers to transitive verbs, which require objects to complete their meanings. The third choice pertains to adjectives or other modifiers that describe nouns but does not relate to verb types. The fourth choice suggests a specific verb form (the gerund) but is not exclusive to intransitive verbs. Each of these options highlights characteristics of verbs, but only the definition of the intransitive verb distinctly states the absence of an object, making it the accurate description.