The number of subjects or objects that a verb refers to in a sentence is called its valence. A verb that has only one subject is called an intransitive verb. In these sentences, there is no receiver of the action. Examples:
Bob whispers all the time.
Jane was the prettiest girl in school.
A verb that takes a subject and an object is called a transitive verb. In these sentences, something receives the action. Sometimes the doer of the action is omitted from the sentence, but it still counts as a transitive verb. Examples:
Frank eats ice cream.
Sally kicked the ball.
The ball was kicked.
Some verbs can take a subject and two objects. These are called ditransitive verbs. Example:
Jane gives the dog a treat.
Bob whispers all the time.
Jane was the prettiest girl in school.
A verb that takes a subject and an object is called a transitive verb. In these sentences, something receives the action. Sometimes the doer of the action is omitted from the sentence, but it still counts as a transitive verb. Examples:
Frank eats ice cream.
Sally kicked the ball.
The ball was kicked.
Some verbs can take a subject and two objects. These are called ditransitive verbs. Example:
Jane gives the dog a treat.
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