Difference between object of a transitive verb and the complement of an intransitive verb


I am having trouble understanding transitive, intransitive and linking verbs:


Can a linking verb  / "verb of incomplete predication" ever also be considered an intransitive or transitive verb, or will it always be labeled a linking verb? (For an exercise in which students must label the role of each word).

Am I correct to believe that all verbs must be either transitive, intransitive or linking verbs? Or are there more categories?


Relatedly, can a word ever be both the object of a transitive verb AND the complement of a linking verb? I am okay with identifying whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, but I get confused differentiating between

a) a transitive verb with an object

b) a linking verb with a complement

c) a transitive verb with a complement (is this even possible? or would it always be called the object?)


ex. He told a lie.

Would "lie" be the object of a transitive verb 

or the complement / predicate noun of a linking verb?

linking verb transitive asked Sep 23 '13 at 21:35 sali New member

2 answers


Perhaps it will help if you think of a linking verb as an equal sign.

He is a good person.

He=good person

He became a fireman.



He told a lie.

He = lie  No, he is not a lie, he just told one. 'Lie' is the object and received the action of the verb.


A linking verb links, or equates, the subject with a compliment. The subject doesn't perform an action.

A transitive verb carries, or transits, action performed by the subject onto an object.

An intranstive verb has the subject performing an action, but there is no object that receives this action. 'He lies', for example.

link comment answered Sep 24 '13 at 10:47 Lewis Neidhardt Grammarly Fellow

A linking verb can be considered an intransitve verb because a linking verb has no direct object. Intransitive verbs have no objects following them, just like linking verbs. Therefore, linking verbs can be considered intransitive

link comment answered Sep 21 '14 at 01:42 Lexi New member

Your answer

Write at least 20 characters
