A sentence’s verb is classified as linking, transitive, or intransitive, depending on the kinds of objects or complements the verb can (or cannot) take.

Linking verbs and subject complements

Linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement, a word or word group that completes the meaning of the subject by renaming or describing it.

If the subject complement renames the subject, it is a noun or noun equivalent (sometimes called a predicate noun).

If the subject complement describes the subject, it is an adjective or adjective equivalent (sometimes called a predicate adjective).

Whenever they appear as main verbs (rather than helping verbs), the forms of be—be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been—usually function as linking verbs. In the preceding examples, for instance, the main verbs are be and were.

Verbs such as appear, become, feel, grow, look, make, seem, smell, sound, and taste are linking when they are followed by a word or word group that renames or describes the subject.

Transitive verbs and direct objects

A transitive verb takes a direct object, a word or word group that names a receiver of the action.

The simple direct object is always a noun or pronoun, in this case bag. To find it, simply strip away all modifiers.

Transitive verbs usually appear in the active voice, with the subject doing the action and a direct object receiving the action. Active-voice sentences can be transformed into passive, with the subject receiving the action.

Transitive verbs, indirect objects, and direct objects

The direct object of a transitive verb is sometimes preceded by an indirect object, a noun or pronoun telling to whom or for whom the action of the sentence is done.

The simple indirect object is always a noun or pronoun. To test for an indirect object, insert the word to or for before the word or word group in question. If the sentence makes sense, the word or word group is an indirect object.

Transitive verbs, direct objects, and object complements

The direct object of a transitive verb is sometimes followed by an object complement, a word or word group that renames or describes the object.

When the object complement renames the direct object, it is a noun or pronoun (such as thing). When it describes the direct object, it is an adjective (such as firm and strong).

Intransitive verbs

Intransitive verbs take no objects or complements.

Nothing receives the actions of laughing and accelerating in these sentences, so the verbs are intransitive. Notice that such verbs may or may not be followed by adverbial modifiers. In the second sentence, in the straightaway is an adverbial prepositional phrase modifyingaccelerated.

note: The dictionary will tell you whether a verb is transitive or intransitive. Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive.

In the first example, flew has a direct object that receives the action: her small plane. In the second example, the verb is followed by an adverb (overhead), not by a direct object.