Some verbs are intransitive (with no direct object, as in She slept) and others are transitive (taking a direct object, as in He saw her). Some can be both (as in They ate or They ate dinner).
Some transitive verbs drift towards intransitive use, which can be faddish. Avoid the usages on the left in favour of those on the right:
He committed to doing better He committed himself to doing better
The stocks depleted by half The stocks were depleted by half
He delivers He delivers what he promises
Bonuses reduced this year The board reduced bonuses this year
The growth rate halved The growth rate fell by half
On the other hand, some verbs should not be used transitively. They should either take a preposition or be replaced with another verb.
They agreed a new deal They agreed on a new deal
The snow collapsed the roof The roof collapsed under the snow
We want to grow the business We want to make the business grow
Students are protesting the cuts Students are protesting against the cuts
He appealed the ruling He appealed against the ruling
The speaker progressed the bill The speaker advanced the bill
Wage growth has lagged inflation Wage growth has lagged behind inflation
Reserves totalled 10bn barrels Reserves amounted to 10bn barrels
The passengers disembarked the plane The crew disembarked the passengers
The government targeted aid at the poor The government directed aid to the poor