An intransitive verb has two characteristics. First, it is an action verb, expressing a doable activity like arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, die, etc. Second, unlike a transitive verb, it will not have a direct object receiving the action. The action ends or is modified by an adverb or adverb phrase rather than being transferred to some person or object.
Typically, an adverb or prepositional phrase modifies an intransitive verb or the verb ends the sentence.
To determine whether a verb is intransitive ask whether the action is done in some way, in some direction or to some degree. Does a noun receive the action of the verb? If it does, then the verb is transitive and the person or thing that receives its action is the direct object.
Here are some examples of intransitive verbs:
Huffing and puffing, we arrived at the classroom door with only seven seconds to spare.
Arrived = intransitive verb.
James went to the campus cafe for a steaming bowl of squid eyeball stew.
Went = intransitive verb.
To escape the midday sun, the cats lie in the shade under our cars.
Lie = intransitive verb.
Around fresh ground pepper, Sheryl sneezes with violence.
Sneezes = intransitive verb.
In the evenings, Glenda sits on the front porch to admire her immaculate lawn.
Sits = intransitive verb.
Flipped on its back, the beetle that Clara soaked with insecticide dies under the refrigerator.
Dies = intransitive verb.
Realize that many verbs can be both transitive and intransitive.
An action verb with a direct object is transitive while an action verb with no direct object is intransitive. Some verbs, such as arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, and die, are always intransitive; it is impossible for a direct object to follow.
Other action verbs, however, can be transitive or intransitive, depending on what follows in the sentence. Compare these examples:
Because of blood sugar problems, Rosa always eats before leaving for school.
Eats = intransitive verb.
If there is no leftover pizza, Rosa usually eats whole-grain cereal.
Eats = transitive verb; cereal = direct object.