NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

Which type of verb does not require a direct object?

1. Transitive verb

2. Intransitive verb

3. Linking verb

4. Auxiliary verb

The correct answer is: Intransitive verb

The correct answer is an intransitive verb. Intransitive verbs are verbs that do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. Instead, they often convey action or state that is complete in itself without the need for something or someone to receive that action. For example, in the sentence "She runs," the verb "runs" does not take a direct object; it stands alone and still conveys a complete idea. In contrast, transitive verbs require a direct object to receive the action. An example would be "He reads a book," where "a book" is the direct object. Linking verbs connect the subject with additional information but do not express action that affects an object; examples include "is" or "seem." Auxiliary verbs, or helping verbs, assist the main verb in a sentence to express tense, mood, or voice but also do not function with a direct object. Understanding these distinctions is key in identifying the correct type of verb based on its requirements regarding direct objects.