What type of verb requires a direct object to complete its meaning?

A transitive verb is the type of verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. This means that a transitive verb cannot stand alone and convey a complete thought without an object to receive the action. For example, in the sentence "She reads the book," "reads" is a transitive verb that requires the direct object "the book" to clarify what is being read. Without a direct object, the sentence would feel incomplete.

In contrast, intransitive verbs do not require a direct object and can convey a complete thought on their own, such as in "He sleeps." Linking verbs, on the other hand, connect the subject to a subject complement and do not require a direct object, as seen in "She is a teacher." While action verbs can be transitive or intransitive, it is specifically transitive verbs that necessitate a direct object for a complete meaning.