What type of verb does not take a direct object?

An intransitive verb is specifically defined as a verb that does not take a direct object, meaning it does not require a recipient to complete its action. Intransitive verbs express actions or states of being that stand alone and do not need to direct their action toward someone or something. For example, in the sentence "He runs," the verb "runs" does not act upon an object; it conveys the action of running without needing any further information.

By contrast, transitive verbs always require a direct object to receive their action, causative verbs often imply an action that causes another action but still can take objects, and linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement without expressing action. Thus, intransitive verbs are characterized by their independence from direct objects, confirming that they are the correct choice for this question.