Question

underline the verb(s) and state whether each is transitive, intransitive, or linking.

1. steve hid the stolen food in the cellar.
2. the books became his comfort.
3. the robinsons shouted loudly.
4. he weighed only forty pounds.
5. the cellar smelled damp and musty.
6. mrs. levin gave him a box of books.

Explanation:

1. In "Steve hid the stolen food in the cellar", "hid" is a verb. A transitive verb has a direct object. Here, "the stolen food" is the direct object of "hid", so "hid" is transitive.
2. In "The books became his comfort", "became" is a verb. A linking verb connects the subject to a subject complement. Here, "his comfort" is the subject complement of "books", so "became" is linking.
3. In "The Robinsons shouted loudly", "shouted" is a verb. An intransitive verb does not have a direct object. Here, "shouted" has no direct object (just the adverb "loudly" modifying it), so "shouted" is intransitive.
4. In "He weighed only forty pounds", "weighed" is a verb. A transitive verb has a direct object. Here, "forty pounds" is the direct object of "weighed", so "weighed" is transitive.
5. In "The cellar smelled damp and musty", "smelled" is a verb. A linking verb connects the subject to a subject complement. Here, "damp and musty" is the subject complement of "cellar", so "smelled" is linking.
6. In "Mrs. Levin gave him a box of books", "gave" is a verb. A transitive verb has a direct object. Here, "a box of books" is the direct object of "gave", so "gave" is transitive.

Answer:

1. Verb: hid (transitive)
2. Verb: became (linking)
3. Verb: shouted (intransitive)
4. Verb: weighed (transitive)
5. Verb: smelled (linking)
6. Verb: gave (transitive)