Question

Identify the option that correctly identifies the form of the verb(s) as used in the sentence:
Ben tripped on the steps and fell downstairs.

a) tripped - transitive verb; fell - intransitive verb
b) tripped - intransitive verb; fell - transitive verb
c) tripped, fell - transitive verb
d) tripped, fell - intransitive verb

Answer 1

Hint: There are no objects in the given sentence, and one kind of verb from the given options does not require an object.

Complete answer:
A transitive verb is a verb that accepts one or more objects. For example, ‘Alex sent (transitive verb) a postcard (direct object) from Argentina’. In this sentence, the transitive verb accepts one direct object.
An intransitive verb does not allow a direct object. For example, ‘The horse runs fast’. There are no objects in the given sentence, either.

Now, let’s look at the given options:

a) tripped - transitive verb; fell - intransitive verb - Here, the first verb is labelled transitive. However, there are no objects in the given sentence. This is incorrect labelling. The second verb is labelled correctly. So, this is an incorrect option.
b) tripped - intransitive verb; fell - transitive verb - Here, the first verb is labelled correctly. The second verb is labelled transitive. However, there are no objects in the given sentence. So, this is an incorrect option.
c) tripped, fell - transitive verb - Here, both verbs are labelled ‘transitive’. However, there are no objects in the given sentence. They are labelled incorrectly. So, this is an incorrect option.
d) tripped, fell - intransitive verb - Here, both verbs are labelled ‘intransitive’. There are no objects in the given sentence, so this is right. So, this is the correct option.

Note:
Try to identify the verbs that do not need objects, and try to understand the meaning of transitive and intransitive verbs. Then, guess the correct option from the acquired information.