Intransitive verbs are those that do not accept a direct object. The sentence Viajaron en tren (They traveled by train) is the perfect example. You cannot say lo viajaron or la viajaron. It sounds wrong because the verb viajar prevents the presence of a direct complement.
This happens because of the verb’s complete meaning. Compare Ellos viajaron with Ellos compraron. The first case makes sense on its own. The second requires a direct complement to indicate what was bought. Sentences with intransitive verbs are called intransitive sentences. Consider Paseó por la playa. The verb pasear acts without a direct complement.
Common Examples of Intransitive Verbs
There are many verbs that function this way. Here is a list of common ones to help you recognize the pattern.
- estornudar
- entrar
-
escapar
-
llorar
- caminar
-
bailar
-
venir
- renunciar
-
sonreír
-
tronar
- gimotear
-
emanar
-
evaporar
- cabalgar
-
dimitir
-
volar
- salir
-
costar
-
llover
- granizar
-
nacer
-
caer
- ladrar
-
resultar
-
estar
- sobrevivir
-
llegar
-
volver
- caber
-
brotar
-
morir
- huir
-
ir
-
pasear
- bostezar
-
brillar
-
toser
- comenzar
-
respirar
-
mofarse
- hipar
-
crecer
-
vivir
- surgir
-
envejecer
-
mentir
- maullar
-
reír
-
nevar
- adelgazar
-
bucear
-
lloriquear
- nadar
- dormir
See also: 150 examples of verbs and Types of verbs
Sentences Using Intransitive Verbs
These examples show how these verbs work in real contexts.
- Mario and Rosa went on vacation to Guatemala
- The defendant lied in court
- The neighbors’ dog always barks at the mailman
- Her grandfather died at nearly one hundred years old
- He went out for a run in the park, he will return shortly
- Do you think we will laugh at the show?
- I don’t think it will rain this afternoon
- The chemistry exercise seems difficult to them
- The minister refuses to resign due to the scandals
- The little one in the family has already been born!
- It’s better if we walk along this path
- Look how the puddle evaporates!
- He swam so fast that he broke the record
- Don’t breathe so fast, or you’ll get dizzy!
- They live with their parents, at the end of the street
- Lift your shirt and cough a little
- The deer fled from the wolves
- Do you think this table will fit in the living room?
- Look at how the firefly shines
- They came to the party and brought a lot of food
The Difference Between Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
The main difference lies in the possibility of accepting a direct object.
Intransitive verbs do not accept this complement. Transitive verbs do.
-
Juan estornudó muy fuerte (the verb estornudar is intransitive and there is no direct complement)
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Rosa left the book on the table (the verb dejar is transitive and the direct complement is the book )
Some intransitive verbs can be transitive in certain contexts or with other meanings. Consider correr (run) and dormir (sleep).
-
They ran all night (intransitive, no direct complement)
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They ran him out of the bar with blows (transitive, the direct complement is him )
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Yesterday he slept all night (intransitive, no direct complement)
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Yesterday he put his daughter to sleep by telling her a story (transitive, the direct complement is his daughter )
Why does this matter for your writing or speaking? It changes how you structure sentences. If you use a transitive verb, you need to ask “what?” If you use an intransitive one, you don’t. Simple. But tricky.
Some verbs switch roles depending on the context.
This flexibility can confuse learners. It is not always black and white. But once you spot the pattern, it becomes second nature. The key is understanding the verb’s core meaning. Does it need an object to make sense? If not, it is likely intransitive.
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