How does an intransitive differ from a transitive verb?

Verbs can be tricky things, and the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs often confounds even the best grammar students and writers. An intransitive verb is simply defined as a verb that does not take a direct object. There's no word in the sentence that tells who or what received the action.

An intransitive verb does not direct action toward anyone or anything named in the sentence.