An intransitive action verb will never have a direct object. Which choice expresses this clearly?

• A. Intransitive action verbs will never have a direct object
• B. Intransitive action verbs must have a direct object
• C. Intransitive action verbs always take a direct object
• D. Intransitive action verbs can have a direct object only with a preposition

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that an intransitive action verb does not take a direct object. Expressing it as “these verbs will never have a direct object” states a clear, definitive rule that matches how intransitives function: the action stands alone without receiving something directly from the verb. For example, “She laughed” or “The dog slept” show actions without objects. When a verb does take a direct object, it’s acting transitively, as in “She kicked the ball,” where “the ball” receives the action. The other choices push the idea that an intransitive verb must or always does take an object, or that an object is possible only with a preposition, which contradicts how direct objects work with intransitive verbs.