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Direct Object: Definition and Examples

Krystal N. Craiker

In English grammar, certain verbs require a noun to receive the action. A direct object in a sentence is the noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that is acted upon by a transitive verb .

In this article, we will take a closer look at how direct objects and object pronouns function in sentences.

Understanding direct objects is important for writing good sentences. You can always check your sentence structure with our free grammar checker .

What’s a Direct Object?

Direct object examples, direct object pronouns, direct object pronoun examples, how to identify the direct object in a sentence.

In English grammar, we can often categorize nouns into subjects or objects. While subjects are the nouns that do a verb, direct objects receive the verb in the sentence.

But what does it mean to receive a verb? It’s another way to say that the action is done to a noun or pronoun. Let’s look at a couple of direct object examples to clarify what receiving a verb means.

• They caught the thief .
• I cooked tacos .

To find the direct object, you can first find the verb, then ask “whom” or “what” took the action. In the first sentence, the verb is caught , so we ask, “caught whom?” The answer is the thief , which is the direct object.

In the second example, the verb is cooked . What did I cook? Tacos . Therefore, the direct object is tacos .

A noun phrase can also be a direct object. A noun phrase is a group of words that functions like a noun in a sentence. Here’s an example:

• I love designing clothes .

Designing clothes is what I love—it’s receiving the action. Therefore, designing clothes is the direct object.

Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs

Not every verb requires a direct object. For example, the verb run rarely needs an object. We could say, “She runs.” That’s a complete sentence, and there are no direct objects.

Verbs that require direct objects, like caught or thief, are called transitive verbs. Only transitive verbs require direct objects. When verbs don’t require direct objects, they are intransitive verbs .

Sometimes a verb can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the particular meaning in that sentence.

“Run” becomes a transitive verb when it means “to operate or be in charge of” in a sentence, or if you’re talking about a specific route or competition that was run.

Transitive verb : He ran the cash register.

Transitive verb: She ran a marathon.

Intransitive verb : We run every day.

Cash register and marathon are direct objects.

Just because there’s a noun following the verb doesn’t mean it’s a direct object. If there’s a preposition present, it might be part of a prepositional phrase. This is common with many intransitive verbs. Here’s an example:

Intransitive verb with prepositional phrase: She runs to the store .

“To” lets us know that we aren’t dealing with a direct object. It’s not receiving the action “run.”

Not all verbs are intransitive or transitive verbs. There are also linking verbs. Linking verbs do not take direct objects. Some examples of linking verbs include to be, to look, to seem .

• He is a fighter.

In this sentence, a fighter looks like a direct object. But because “is” is a linking verb, a fighter is actually a subject complement. A subject complement is a noun, adjective, or pronoun that follows a linking verb.

Just because there’s a noun after a verb in a sentence doesn’t mean it’s a direct object. Remember, only transitive verbs take direct objects.

Direct vs Indirect Objects

It’s not always as simple to identify direct objects as it was in our first examples. Sometimes sentences also have indirect objects .

While a direct object receives a verb, an indirect object receives the direct object. Let’s look at an example:

• The boss gave the orders to the team.

In this example, the direct object is the orders . That is what the boss gave. The indirect object is the team . The team receives the orders.

As you can see, sometimes the indirect object comes after a preposition like “to.” But direct and indirect objects don’t always come in order. Sometimes the indirect objects precede the direct objects in a sentence.

• He cooked his wife dinner.

What did he cook? Dinner. That’s the direct object. But who was dinner for? His wife. That’s the indirect object.

The best way to learn how to find the direct object in a sentence is by looking at examples. Here are more direct object examples:

• Have you read this book ?
• The mom embarrasses her teenager in public.
• First, crack the egg into the bowl.
• The bully always mocked the quiet kids .
• I can’t quit my job because I need the money .
• Her husband ordered her a new oven with six burners.
• He enjoys playing the guitar .

Pronouns are words that stand in for nouns or noun phrases. Object pronouns are pronouns that can act as either direct objects or indirect objects.

There are seven object pronouns in English: me, you, him, her, it, us, them .

These function just like other objects. When an object pronoun receives the action, it’s functioning as a direct object, but if it receives the direct object, then it’s acting as an indirect object.

Let’s look at an example of a direct object pronoun:

• The teacher taught them .

The recipient of the action “taught” is them .

Let’s look at some more examples of object pronouns functioning as direct objects:

• The sundae looks delicious. I want it .
• She told him to leave.
• The neighbors judged us for having an old car.
• Will you kiss me ?

When you need to find the direct object in a sentence, first identify the verb. Then ask if there is a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that the verb is acting upon. If so, you’ve found the direct object.

Be careful not to mix up direct and indirect objects and subject complements. Always ask “what” or “whom?” is receiving the action of the verb.

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Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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What is a Direct Object? Definition, Examples of Direct Objects in Sentences

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is a Direct Object? Definition, Examples of Direct Objects in Sentences

Direct object definition: A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the sentence.

What is a Direct Object?

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the sentence. The direct object answers “whom?” or “what?” in regards to the verb.

Direct Object Examples:

• What is the direct object? Coffee is the direct object.

The direct object in a sentence is always a noun. Although, it may be a form of a noun such as a pronoun, noun clause, or noun phrase. However, a direct object will always function as a noun.

A direct object also always follows a transitive verb.

How to find the direct object

• Subject + Action Verb + What? or Whom?
• What? or Whom? = Direct Object

Example of Direct Object Sentence Formula:

• Jan (subject) + hit (action verb) + the ball ( what? or whom? ).
• ball = direct object.

Different Kinds of Direct Objects

Noun as a Direct Object:

• Jan drinks what? “Coffee” is the direct object.

Pronoun as Direct Object:

• Damien played what? “It” is the direct object.

Note about pronouns: Pronouns can only be used once an antecedent has been identified.

Compound Direct Objects (more than one noun):

• Tina ate what ? “Apples and bananas” are the direct objects.

A Noun Phrase Can Be a Direct Object:

• Jan hates what ? “Drinking cold coffee” is the direct object.
• These crosscurrents highlight what? “the challenge facing policy makers” is the direct object.

Note: The first example uses a gerund phrase as the direct object.

A Noun Clause Can Be a Direct Object:

• The student admitted what ? “That he skipped class” is the direct object.

Only Transitive Verbs Can Have Direct Objects

Intransitive verbs do not take objects, so they will never have direct objects. See more on intransitive verbs here.

Simply by following the formula above, one can test whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.

Intransitive verbs will not answer the question “what?” or “whom?”.

Examples of Transitive Verbs:

• Jason picked Manny. (Jason picked whom ? Manny.)
• Phoebe ate ice cream. (Phoebe ate what ? Ice cream.)

Examples of Intransitive Verbs:

• “At the terminal” does not answer “what?” or “whom?”.
• “Arrived” is an intransitive verb.
• “Across the pond” does not answer “what?” or “whom?”.
• “Jumped” is an intransitive verb.

Direct Object vs. Subject Complement

Linking verbs, on the other hand, oftentimes have subject complements. A subject complement is something that follows a linking verb and looks similar to a direct object but is different.

Examples of linking verbs with subject complements:

• was = linking verb; happy = subject complement
• seemed = linking verb; confused = subject complement
• is = linking verb; writer = subject complement

Even though in the above examples the subject complements seem to answer the question “what?”, they are not direct objects. Since the words follow linking verbs, they are subject complements.

Here’s why they aren’t direct objects: Direct objects receive the action of the sentence. Another way to think about this is that the direct object of a verb is the thing that is being acted up.

Linking verbs, however, are not action verbs, so there is no action taking place. Linking verbs connect a subject to its predicate without taking any action; they simply re-identify or describe the subject in a different way.

For more information on linking verbs, see here.

Subject Pronouns Cannot be Direct Objects

A subject pronoun (see list below) must be used as a subject. A subject pronoun will always complete the action in the sentence.

An object pronoun (see list below) must be used as a direct object. An object pronoun will always receive the action in the sentence.

Subject/Object Pronouns:

Sentence Without Pronouns:

• Tony likes Tera.

Sentence Replaced with Subject and Object Pronouns:

• He likes her.

Note: “He likes she” is unacceptable English grammar. Object pronouns must be used as objects.

Summary: What are Direct Objects?

Define direct object: the definition of direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the sentence.

A direct object will always follow a transitive verb. A direct object is always a noun or another part of speech functioning as a noun.

Here are a few final examples of sentences with direct objects.

• The dog chased the car.
• The boy hit the ball.
• Our family ate dinner.

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Direct Object

What is a direct object.

• Lee eats cakes .
• The seagull pecked the shark's fin .

Table of Contents

Examples of Direct Objects

How to find the direct object of a sentence, video lesson, phrases and clauses as direct objects, transitive verbs and direct objects, direct objects vs complements, why direct objects are important.

• Play the guitar .
• Every actor played his part .
• The crowd will cheer the President .
• We can climb the hill and fly the kite .
• She fed the cat.
• Craig will read the book tomorrow.

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos .

• Toby loves cooking scones.
• She thought that the contract had ended.
• The constable described what he saw at the scene.
• The cat wants to eat our goldfish.
• Malcolm fell very badly.
• Joan is sleeping at the moment.
• Peter is happy.

(Reason 1) This is good stuff for learning a foreign language.

(reason 2) don't confuse who and whom ..

• Who is to he as whom is to him . Use whom for an object. Use who for a subject.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Direct and Indirect Objects: A Beginner’s Guide to English Grammar

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: August 1, 2023

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Welcome to our English grammar website, where we will explore the topic of direct and indirect objects. Understanding the difference between these two types of objects is crucial for constructing clear and effective sentences. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on the basics of direct and indirect objects, along with examples to help you grasp the concepts easily.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, this article will provide you with a solid foundation in the basics of direct and indirect objects. We’ll cover everything from the definition and function of direct and indirect objects to how to identify them in sentences. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to use direct and indirect objects in your writing to convey information accurately and effectively.

Direct and Indirect Objects

Understanding Direct Objects

Direct objects are an essential part of English grammar. They are the nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases that receive the action of a transitive verb in a sentence. In this section, we will discuss the definition of direct objects, provide examples, and show how to identify them in a sentence.

Definition of Direct Objects

A direct object answers the question, “What?” or “Whom?” after an action verb. For example, in the sentence “I ate an apple,” the verb is “ate,” and the direct object is “an apple.” Direct objects are always nouns or pronouns and are never found in prepositional phrases.

Examples of Direct Objects

Here are some examples of direct objects in sentences:

• She kicked the ball.
• He read the book.
• They ate the pizza.
• I love my cat.

In each of these examples, the direct object is the noun that receives the action of the verb. The ball, book, pizza, and cat are all direct objects.

Identifying Direct Objects

To identify a direct object in a sentence, you can ask the question “What?” or “Whom?” after the action verb. The answer to this question will be the direct object. For example:

• She kicked what? The ball. (Ball is the direct object.)
• He read what? The book. (Book is the direct object.)
• They ate what? The pizza. (Pizza is the direct object.)
• I love whom? My cat. (Cat is the direct object.)

Another way to identify a direct object is to find the subject and verb in the sentence and then ask “who?” or “what?” is receiving the action of the verb. The answer to this question will also be the direct object.

In summary, direct objects are an essential part of English grammar, and they help to clarify the meaning of a sentence. By understanding the definition of direct objects, providing examples, and showing how to identify them in a sentence, you can improve your writing and speaking skills.

Understanding Indirect Objects

If you’re learning English grammar, you may have come across the term “indirect object.” In this section, we’ll define what an indirect object is, provide examples of indirect objects, and give tips on how to identify them in sentences.

Definition of Indirect Objects

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object of a sentence. In other words, it’s the person or thing that benefits from the action of the verb. The indirect object usually comes before the direct object and is preceded by the preposition “to” or “for.”

For example, in the sentence “She gave the book to her friend,” “her friend” is the indirect object because they are the one receiving the book, which is the direct object.

Examples of Indirect Objects

Here are some more examples of sentences with indirect objects:

• “He bought a present for his girlfriend.” (“His girlfriend” is the indirect object.)
• “I made a cake for my mom.” (“My mom” is the indirect object.)
• “The teacher gave the students a lecture on grammar.” (“The students” is the indirect object.)

Identifying Indirect Objects

To identify the indirect object in a sentence, you can ask yourself who or what is receiving the action of the verb. If the answer is a noun or pronoun and it comes before the direct object, it’s likely the indirect object.

Another way to identify the indirect object is to look for the preposition “to” or “for” before the noun or pronoun. However, keep in mind that not all indirect objects are preceded by a preposition.

In summary, an indirect object is the person or thing that benefits from the action of the verb in a sentence. By understanding what an indirect object is, you can improve your understanding of English grammar and sentence structure.

Differences Between Direct and Indirect Objects

In English grammar, both direct and indirect objects play an essential role in forming complete sentences. Understanding the differences between these two types of objects is crucial for improving the clarity of your writing. In this section, we will explore the differences between direct and indirect objects in terms of their position and purpose in a sentence.

Position in Sentence

Direct objects usually come after the verb and answer the question “what” or “whom.” In contrast, indirect objects often come before the direct object and answer the question “to/for whom” or “to/for what.” Here are some examples:

• “She gave him a book.” In this sentence, “book” is the direct object, and “him” is the indirect object.
• “They sent her flowers.” In this sentence, “flowers” is the direct object, and “her” is the indirect object.

It’s worth noting that not all sentences have indirect objects. Some verbs only take a direct object, while others take both a direct and indirect object. Here are some examples:

• “He ate the pizza.” In this sentence, “pizza” is the direct object.
• “She told me a story.” In this sentence, “story” is the direct object, and “me” is the indirect object.

Purpose in Sentence

Direct objects provide more information about the verb and help to clarify the action being performed. They are essential for forming complete sentences. Indirect objects, on the other hand, provide information about the recipient of the action and are often optional. Here are some examples:

• “He hit the ball.” In this sentence, “ball” is the direct object and provides more information about the action of hitting.
• “She gave him a book.” In this sentence, “him” is the indirect object and provides information about the recipient of the action of giving.

Indirect objects can also be used to show possession or ownership. For example:

• “She bought her sister a present.” In this sentence, “sister” is the indirect object and shows that the present is for the sister.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between direct and indirect objects is crucial for improving your writing skills. Direct objects provide more information about the verb, while indirect objects provide information about the recipient of the action. By mastering these concepts, you can create more effective and clear sentences.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

When it comes to direct and indirect objects, there are a few common mistakes and misconceptions that learners often encounter. In this section, we’ll cover some of these issues and provide tips on how to avoid them.

Confusing Direct and Indirect Objects

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing direct and indirect objects. Remember that a direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb, while an indirect object is the noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. Here are some examples:

• Direct object: He kicked the ball.
• Indirect object: He kicked the ball to me.

In the second sentence, “me” is the indirect object because it receives the direct object “the ball.” Confusing these two types of objects can lead to unclear or incorrect sentences.

Misplacing Objects in Sentence

Another common mistake is misplacing objects in a sentence. In English, the direct object usually comes before the indirect object. Here’s an example:

• Correct: She gave her friend a gift.
• Incorrect: She gave a gift her friend.

In the incorrect sentence, the direct object “a gift” comes after the indirect object “her friend,” which makes the sentence confusing and difficult to understand. Remember to place the direct object before the indirect object to avoid this mistake.

In addition to these common mistakes, learners may also have misconceptions about how to use direct and indirect objects in sentences. For example, some learners may think that every sentence needs both a direct and indirect object. However, this is not always the case. Some verbs only take a direct object, while others only take an indirect object. It’s important to understand which verbs take which type of object to use them correctly in sentences.

Overall, understanding the differences between direct and indirect objects and avoiding common mistakes can help learners improve their English grammar skills. By practicing with example sentences and paying attention to object placement, learners can become more confident in using direct and indirect objects correctly.

Practical Exercises

Learning about direct and indirect objects is one thing, but practicing with them is another. In this section, we’ll provide you with some practical exercises to help you master the use of direct and indirect objects in English sentences.

Practice with Direct Objects

To practice identifying direct objects, try the following exercises:

• Identify the direct object in the following sentence: “I ate an apple for breakfast.”
• Rewrite the following sentence with a direct object: “She sang.”
• Identify the direct object in the following sentence: “The teacher graded the tests quickly.”

Practice with Indirect Objects

To practice identifying indirect objects, try the following exercises:

• Identify the indirect object in the following sentence: “She gave her sister a present.”
• Rewrite the following sentence with an indirect object: “He played the guitar.”
• Identify the indirect object in the following sentence: “The company gave its employees a bonus.”

Mixed Practice

To practice identifying both direct and indirect objects, try the following exercises:

• Identify the direct and indirect objects in the following sentence: “I bought my mom a birthday present.”
• Rewrite the following sentence with both a direct and indirect object: “He wrote a letter.”
• Identify the direct and indirect objects in the following sentence: “The professor gave his students a challenging assignment.”

Remember, the key to mastering direct and indirect objects is practice, practice, practice. By completing exercises like these, you’ll become more comfortable with the concept and be able to use it correctly in your own writing and speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a direct object and an indirect object?

A direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb and answers the question “what” or “whom.” For example, in the sentence “She ate the apple,” the direct object is “apple.” An indirect object, on the other hand, is the noun or pronoun that receives the direct object and answers the question “to/for whom” or “to/for what.” For example, in the sentence “She gave him the apple,” the indirect object is “him,” and the direct object is “apple.”

What are some examples of direct objects in sentences?

Some examples of direct objects in sentences include “I ate the pizza,” “He kicked the ball,” “She read the book,” and “They watched the movie.”

What are some examples of indirect objects in sentences?

Some examples of indirect objects in sentences include “She gave him the gift,” “They sent me a letter,” “He bought her a necklace,” and “I made them dinner.”

How do you identify a direct object in a sentence?

To identify a direct object in a sentence, ask the question “what” or “whom” after the verb. The answer to the question will be the direct object. For example, in the sentence “He ate the sandwich,” asking “what did he eat?” gives us the answer “sandwich,” which is the direct object.

How do you identify an indirect object in a sentence?

To identify an indirect object in a sentence, ask the question “to/for whom” or “to/for what” after the verb and direct object. The answer to the question will be the indirect object. For example, in the sentence “She gave him the book,” asking “to whom did she give the book?” gives us the answer “him,” which is the indirect object.

What are some exercises to practice identifying direct and indirect objects?

One exercise to practice identifying direct and indirect objects is to read sentences and identify the direct and indirect objects. Another exercise is to write sentences with both direct and indirect objects and identify them. Additionally, using online quizzes and worksheets can help reinforce the concept of direct and indirect objects.

A direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb and answers the question \"what\" or \"whom.\" For example, in the sentence \"She ate the apple,\" the direct object is \"apple.\" An indirect object, on the other hand, is the noun or pronoun that receives the direct object and answers the question \"to/for whom\" or \"to/for what.\" For example, in the sentence \"She gave him the apple,\" the indirect object is \"him,\" and the direct object is \"apple.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are some examples of direct objects in sentences?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

Some examples of direct objects in sentences include \"I ate the pizza,\" \"He kicked the ball,\" \"She read the book,\" and \"They watched the movie.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are some examples of indirect objects in sentences?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

Some examples of indirect objects in sentences include \"She gave him the gift,\" \"They sent me a letter,\" \"He bought her a necklace,\" and \"I made them dinner.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you identify a direct object in a sentence?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

To identify a direct object in a sentence, ask the question \"what\" or \"whom\" after the verb. The answer to the question will be the direct object. For example, in the sentence \"He ate the sandwich,\" asking \"what did he eat?\" gives us the answer \"sandwich,\" which is the direct object.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you identify an indirect object in a sentence?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

To identify an indirect object in a sentence, ask the question \"to/for whom\" or \"to/for what\" after the verb and direct object. The answer to the question will be the indirect object. For example, in the sentence \"She gave him the book,\" asking \"to whom did she give the book?\" gives us the answer \"him,\" which is the indirect object.

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are some exercises to practice identifying direct and indirect objects?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

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Direct Object

A direct object in English grammar is a noun , pronoun , or noun phrase that shows who or what receives the action of a verb , performed by a subject specified at the start of the sentence .

A direct object may appear as a noun, pronoun, or a compound noun in a sentence. For instance, in the excerpt, “She closed the carton carefully. First she kissed her father , then she kissed her mother . Then she opened the lid again, lifted the pig out, and held it against her cheek” ( Charlotte’s Web , by E.B. White), all the underlined words are direct objects.

Everyday Use of Direct Object

• Sara returned the dress to the designer. “Dress” is the direct object in this sentence, being the thing that was returned.
• The sailor sailed the ship across the Indian Ocean. “Ship” is the direct object in this sentence, being the thing that was sailed.
• Sally took them with her to the market. “Them” is a pronoun functioning as the direct object in this sentence, being who Sally took.
• Julie invited us to the dinner. “Us” is a pronoun serving as the direct object, being who Julie invited.
• Dad drove mom and me to the airport. “Mom” and “me” are compound direct objects in this sentence, being who Dad drove.

Examples of Direct Object in Literature

Example #1: cherry orchard (by anton chekhov).

“Lopakhin. Your brother, Leonid Andreyevitch, says I ‘m a snob, a usurer, but that is absolutely nothing to me . Let him talk. Only I do wish you would believe in me as you once did, that your wonderful, touching eyes would look at me as they did before. Merciful God! My father was the serf of your grandfather and your own father, but you — you more than anybody else — did so much for me once upon a time that I’ve forgotten everything and love you as if you belonged to my family . . .”

The underlined words “I” and “me” in this paragraph are the direct objects of the noun “Leonid Andreyevitch;” while “your” is the direct object of pronoun “my.”

Example #2: The Courage of Turtles (by Edward Hoagland)

“[The developers] bulldozed the banks to fill in the bottom, and landscaped the flow of water that remained.”

Hoagland has beautifully used “the banks” and “the flow of water” as direct objects of noun “the developers.”

Example #3: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (by James Joyce)

“A fellow had once seen a big rat jump into the scum. Mother was sitting at the fire with Dante waiting for Brigid to bring in the tea. Dante knew a lot of things . She had taught him where the Mozambique Channel was and what was the longest river in America and what was the name of the highest mountain in the moon. Father Arnall knew more than Dante … Rody Kickham held the ball by its greasy lace. A fellow asked him to give it one last: but he walked on without even answering the fellow . Simon Moonan told him not to because the prefect was looking. The fellow turned to Simon Moonan and said.”

This is another good example that has used direct objects as underlined. In the first sentence, “rat” is the direct object of the noun “fellow,” while “things” is the direct object of the noun “Dante.”

Example #4: Oedipus Rex (by Sophocles)

“PRIEST: O ruler of my country, Oedipus, You see our company around the altar; you see our ages; some of us , like these, who cannot yet fly far, and some of us heavy with age … King, you yourself have seen our city reeling like a wreck … I pity you , children . You have come full of longing … Thanks for your gracious words. Your servants here signal that Creon is this moment coming.”

In this example, there are four direct objects “our,” “us,” “you,” “children,” and “Creon.” “Our” is the direct object of the pronoun “you” as the work is done on it.

Function of Direct Object

Direct objects, like other types of objects, are recipients of actions performed in the sentence. A direct object may be a noun or a pronoun. Not only does it makes text clear and understandable but also shifts meanings of the verb forward. In fact, the major function of a direct object is to give the readers information about an action by showing extra details about it. It tells more about the subject, or in some cases shows complete action performed it. In writing, it is used for precision, directness, and brevity.

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What is a Direct Object? (Definition, Examples, How They’re Used)

What is a direct object? How does a direct object work? A word or phrase that is the recipient of the action of the verb is referred to as the direct object in English grammar .

Understanding direct object with the help of an example

Take the following instance, as a way to better grasp what this means:

• James plays football.

Football is the item that the immediate object of this phrase is. Football is the subject of the activity, while the term plays serves as the verb in this sentence .

What is the definition of a “direct object”?

A noun that is the recipient of the action of the verb is referred to as the “direct object.”

It’s possible to confuse the direct object with the topic of the statement. However, it can be avoided with a sufficient understanding of the topic (in the sentence).

There’s also the potential that you’re mixing the direct object and the questionable verb.

It’s critical to keep in mind that the subject is the noun that is responsible for carrying out the activities.

In most cases, direct objects provide responses to the questions like “what?” or “whom?”

Let’s take a second look at the example of the direct object that was given before.

Consider this: “What game did James play?

The correct response is the immediate object of the question, which in this instance is “football.”

Let’s look at another example of a direct object:

• Charles played with his dog.

What does “direct object” refer to? Pose the question to yourself, “Who was Charles’s playmate? ” The correct response is “dog,” of course.

The difference between transitive and intransitive verbs

Not all verbs employ a direct object. It’s impossible to utilize direct objects with some verbs, such as ‘laugh’ and ‘sit’ since doing so would be illogical.

You cannot laugh at something or seat someone; doing so would be meaningless.

Verbs that require a direct object are known as transitive verbs, whereas verbs that do not require an object are known as intransitive verbs.

Sometimes intransitive verbs are preceded by a prepositional phrase or an adverbial phrase, which are not the same as direct objects.

This makes it difficult to determine the difference between the two types of verbs.

• James and Charlie laugh at Julie.

It may appear that Julie is the direct object in this sentence. However, the presence of the preposition ‘at’ reveals that the phrase in question is actually a prepositional phrase.

It’s not proper to say, “James and Charlie laugh Julie” since laugh is an intransitive verb . It might help to who we’re laughing at by using a prepositional phrase.

On the other hand, it’s accurate to claim, “James and Charlie enjoy Julie.”

Because the word ‘enjoy’ is transitive in this context, a preposition is not required when Julie becomes the direct object of the verb.

Sometimes, depending on the context, the same word might function either transitively or intransitively.

If a verb may have more than one meaning, then some of the uses of the verb could be transitive, while other uses could be intransitive.

• James drove to the shopping center. – Intransitive
• Charlie drove James to the shopping center. – Transitive

The simplest approach for determining whether a verb is transitive or intransitive is to consult a dictionary. However, the best method to distinguish between the two is by experience.

When you’re in a jam, the question “what?” or “whom?” might be really helpful.

If you receive a response, the expression is considered transitive. And if there is no answer, presume that it’s an intransitive verb.

This is especially helpful for terms like ‘play’ that may be used either transitively or intransitively depending on the context.

Expressions and clauses with direct objects

Sometimes, rather than being a single word, direct objects are full phrases or even whole clauses . This is not always the case.

These phrases are always functioning together as nouns ; hence, in addition to being normal noun phrases, they are frequently gerund phrases or relative clauses.

• Relative clauses are clauses that begin with a relative pronoun like “what,” as opposed to independent clauses , which begin with a noun.
• Noun phrases that begin with gerunds are referred to as gerund phrases .

The infinitive form of a verb can occasionally be used as a direct object.

Pronouns that take direct objects

In English, the same person can be referred to by two different pronouns, depending on whether the pronoun is operating as a subject or an object.

For instance, the pronoun “I” would be used when discussing yourself as the subject of a sentence .

However, if you were describing oneself as the subject of the phrase, “myself” would be used.

What exactly is the distinction between a direct object and an indirect object?

It’s possible to significantly enhance the readability of your whole sentences by being familiar with direct objects, indirect objects, and both types of objects.

First, let’s get a handle on the difference between direct and indirect objects.

The object of direct object

The direct object of a sentence is a noun or a noun phrase that is the target of an action carried out by the sentence’s subject.

The beneficiary of the action of a transitive verb is referred to as the “what” or the “whom” of the phrase, which is a direct object.

It’s the part of the phrase that is doing the receiving of the action. On the other hand, unlike sentences with connecting verbs, sentences that do not have an indirect object are not required to have one.

The object of indirect object

An indirect object can be a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase. Its purpose is to indicate ‘what’ or ‘who’ the direct object is given to.

The direct object gives something to the indirect object, therefore an indirect object may only exist in a sentence if there is also a direct object present in the sentence.

What exactly differentiates the two from one another?

It’s easy to get direct and indirect objects mixed up, but there are a few important distinctions that make it simpler to spot the difference between the two.

1. The connection between them and the event

In a sentence, direct objects are the ones that are affected by the action of a verb, whereas indirect objects are the ones that are affected by the direct object.

2. Their application

In order for a sentence to be considered “full,” a transitive verb in the English language has to have a direct object.

On the other hand, indirect objects are only ever used with intransitive verbs and are frequently introduced by prepositions .

3. The significance of them

In order for many sentences to be considered complete, direct objects will be required; nevertheless, an indirect object is not required for every statement.

Direct objects, on the other hand, are able to exist even in the absence of indirect objects, whereas indirect objects are required for the existence of indirect things.

What are some of the parallels that can be seen between direct and indirect objects?

Both direct and indirect objects can be composed of nouns, noun phrases, or pronouns. It’s the primary characteristic that links the two categories of things together.

Whether the word in question functions as a direct object or an indirect object is determined by the target of the action being performed by the subject.

Techniques for working with direct objects

In order to make appropriate use of direct objects , the following are a few pointers to keep in mind.

1. Always coming after the action verb is the direct object.

Finding the transitive verb in the sentence is a simple approach to finding out where your direct object should belong in English grammar.

The transitive verb is a verb that acts in connection to one or more objects. A transitive or action verb should be followed by a direct object.

2. Ensure the direct object is a noun, pronoun, or clause.

There are three possible forms for a direct object: a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase. Different elements of speech, such as verbs, adverbs , and adjectives , cannot take the place of direct objects in a sentence.

3. Make use of several examples.

When the context calls for it, include many direct objects in a single statement.

4. Keep an eye out for connecting verbs.

Direct objects are not allowed in sentences that contain linking verbs (such as, is, or were).

Tip: Learn about direct object pronouns . A direct object pronoun can get confused with a regular direct object.

The noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that is the recipient of the action of the verb is referred to as the direct object.

Here is an example of a direct object – James watches an old movie.

The construction of a sentence with a direct object is: Subject + Verb + Who or What

Examples would be, “Sam enjoyed lemonade and a steak for dinner .”

Yes, transitive verbs typically follow direct objects in a sentence or question sentence. The transitive verb is required to create a complete sentence. Direct objects receive the action of a transitive verb.

Linking verbs use direct objects, although the word that follows the linking verb is actually called a complement (or subject complements ).

• Direct Objects in English (with Examples)
• What Is a Direct Object? (with Examples)
• Direct Object
• Direct Object Examples
• Direct Object: Definition and Examples
• Difference Between Direct and Indirect Objects in a Sentence

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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direct object

Traditional grammar defines the object in a sentence as the entity that is acted upon by the subject. There is thus a primary distinction between subjects and objects that is understood in terms of the action expressed by the verb, e.g. Tom studies grammar – Tom is the subject and grammar is the object. Traditional theories of sentence structure divide the simple sentence into a subject and a predicate, whereby the object is taken to be part of the predicate. Many modern theories of grammar (e.g. dependency grammars), in contrast, take the object to be a verb argument like the subject, the difference between them being mainly just their prominence; the subject is ranked higher than the object and is thus more prominent. The main verb in a clause determines whether and what objects are present. Transitive verbs require the presence of an object, whereas intransitive verbs block the appearance of an object. The term complement overlaps in meaning with object: all objects are complements, but not vice versa. The objects that verbs do and do not take is explored in detail in valency theory.

Do essays use direct, indirect and oblique objects?

This is the third and final chapter about Subjects and Objects . To complete this reader, read each chapter carefully and then unlock and complete our materials to check your understanding.   

– Review the concept of subject and object phrase functions

– Explore the various methods for building objects beside noun phrases (such as gerunds and clauses)

– Discuss verb transitivity the three types of object (direct, indirect and oblique)

Chapter 1: What are subject and object phrase functions?

Chapter 2: How are subject NPs useful for academic English?

Chapter 3: Do essays use direct, indirect and oblique objects?

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In this third and final chapter about subjects and objects , we next focus on the three types of object which are used in English: direct, indirect and oblique objects. We review the differences between subjects and objects and briefly explore the concept of verb transitivity and how it determines the number of objects required. Then, we look at those three object types in detail before turning finally to their use in essays  and other academic settings.

How are objects different from subjects?

Subject and object phrase functions   might share a good number of similarities but they are ultimately not the same.

For example:

• subjects are usually placed before the verb phrase while objects are placed after it
• subjects are usually the doer of the action of the verb while objects are the receiver
• both subjects and objects are most commonly made from simple or complex noun phrases

Subjects and objects are nevertheless so similar to each other that they can often be swapped with no change to the grammar – only a change in meaning . Clearly, this alternation is not always possible however due to meaning and logic errors:

Because they are so similar, one useful way of telling a subject and an object apart (aside from inspecting their function) is to look for any pronouns which have been used to form them. The subject pronoun ‘I’, for example, is written as ‘me’ when it’s in the object position, such as how ‘she’ becomes ‘her’ when placed after the verb:

Are objects also mostly made from noun phrases?

Like subjects, objects are also most commonly made from simple noun phrases   (such as determiner – noun combinations) and complex noun phrases (by combining prepositional phrases   and relative clauses ). Students should however be careful  to recognise those objects which have been composed from other types of phrases and clauses, as has been exemplified in the below table:

How does verb transitivity affect the number of objects?

The transitivity of a verb (its valency ) is a very important verb function when trying to determine how many objects to include within a sentence. As the following table demonstrates, verbs can be divided into four types depending on how many objects they require. There are intransitive verbs which have no objects, monotransitive verbs which have one object, ditransitive verbs which have two and tritransitive verbs which have three:

How many types of object are possible?

What the previous table additionally shows us is that there are three possible types of object phrase function . These are:

• direct objects (usually the receiver of the action or intention of the verb)
• indirect objects (usually the being that benefits from the action of the verb)
• oblique objects (usually the object which follows a preposition such as ‘to’ or ‘for’)
• direct object ONLY (failed the exam )
• indirect object THEN direct object (taught the students English )
• direct object THEN oblique object (taught English to the students )
• indirect object THEN direct object THEN oblique object (sold John a hat for $10 )
• direct object THEN oblique object THEN oblique object (sold a hat to John for $10 )

Are direct, indirect and oblique objects academic?

While objects are a somewhat optional part of a grammatical sentence (at least when using an intransitive verb), it would be impossible to write an academic essay  in English without them. Monotransitive verbs are in fact very common in academic writing, with 142/150 high frequency academic verbs falling into this category. For each of the 142 verbs listed next, for example, a student would need to include a direct object after the verb phrase   to make their sentences grammatical.

accept, achieve, adapt, advance, affect, allocate, allow, alter, analyse, arise, assert, assess, associate, assist, assume, attempt, avoid, base, benefit, cause, choose, cite, claim, clarify, classify, combine, compare, concentrate, conclude, conduct, connect, consider, consist, constitute, construct, contrast, correspond, decline, define, demonstrate, depend, describe, design, determine, develop, differ, discuss, display, distinguish, effect, eliminate, emerge, enable, encounter, encourage, enhance, ensure, evaluate, examine, exceed, exemplify, expand, explain, express, facilitate, favour, form, formulate, generate, highlight, identify, illustrate, imply, improve, include, increase, indicate, influence, interpret, introduce, investigate, involve, isolate, lead, limit, locate, maintain, measure, neglect, note, obtain, outline, overcome, perceive, possess, predict, present, prevent, produce, prove, provide, publish, pursue, quote, receive, reduce, reflect, regard, reinforce, relate, remove, replace, report, represent, reproduce, resolve, respond, restrict, retain, reveal, select, separate, show, solve, specify, state, strengthen, stress, study, submit, suggest, summarise, support, tend, transform, treat, undermine, undertake, vary

“The board allocated $3,000 to the study.”

“The results benefited group A more than group B.”

“The scientists developed the vaccine over the course of three years.”

“I identified the problem with the methodology and rescheduled the test.”

“The experiment involved 2,500 participants from fifty-six countries around the world.”

Only 7/150 of the most common academic verbs are ditransitive or tritransitive, however. These seven verbs (each requiring two or three objects) are: 

allocate, allow, cause, design, present, provide, show

“The teacher allocated the students their homework.”

“The scientist allowed them the results.”

“She designed them the prototype they asked for.”

“The results provided him the answers he needed.”

“The results showed her the likely answer to her thesis.”

What this shows is that while objects are very common in academic language (EAP) indirect and oblique objects will be far less frequent than direct objects.

Excellent work on completing this short reader on subjects and objects . Consider next taking our short readers about predicates  or adverbials and complements .

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Chapter 2 explores the topic: How are subject NPs useful for academic English? Our Chapter 2 Worksheet (containing guidance, activities and answer keys) can be accessed here at the click of a button. 

Chapter 3 explores the topic: Do essays use direct, indirect and oblique objects? Our Chapter 3 Worksheet (containing guidance, activities and answer keys) can be accessed here at the click of a button. 

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Frequently asked questions

What are direct and indirect objects.

A grammatical object is a noun , pronoun , or noun phrase that’s affected by the action of a verb .

• A direct object is a person or thing acted upon by a verb.
• An indirect object indicates the person or thing that receives the direct object.

For example, in the sentence ‘I read Mia a story’, ‘a story’ is the direct object (receiving the action) and ‘Mia’ is the indirect object (receiving the direct object). Verbs that require a direct object to function correctly are called transitive verbs .

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Course: Grammar   >   Unit 8

• Subjects and predicates
• Identifying subjects and predicates
• Subjects, direct objects, and indirect objects

Identifying subjects, direct objects, and indirect objects

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50 Examples of Gerunds

3-minute read

• 30th August 2022

Are you familiar with gerunds ? These verb-noun hybrids can be confusing because they look like verbs but function as nouns . In this article, we’ll explain the grammatical function of gerunds and provide plenty of examples to help you understand how to use them in your writing.

What Is a Gerund?

A gerund is a type of word that looks like the present participle of a verb, but it functions as a noun. Gerunds can be formed from any verb by adding “ing” at the end, such as:

However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when a verb ends in “ie,” such as:

With verbs that end in e (but not i e ), you remove the e before adding ing , like this:

Finally, there are some verbs for which the doubling up rule applies. This means you double the final consonant in single-syllable verbs that end with a single vowel followed by a single consonant:

Now that you know how to form gerunds, let’s look at how to use them.

Using a Gerund as the Object of a Sentence

Each of the following sentences has a gerund as its direct object (i.e., the noun that’s acted upon by the verb):

You can add modifiers to gerunds to create gerund phrases:

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Using a Gerund as the Subject of a Sentence

Gerunds can also be used as the subject of a sentence, such as:

Again, we can add modifiers to make more descriptive gerund phrases:

Gerunds as Subject Complements

Subject complements are words or phrases that come after a linking verb – often a form of the verb to be (e.g., is , was , am , are ) – and describe or define the subject. You use gerunds in subject complements when they refer to any kind of activity:

Gerunds in Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are nouns made up of more than one word. Many compound nouns include gerunds:

Although the first word in each of these examples is a verb, it functions as a noun in the compound noun. The site is for building, but it doesn’t build. The water doesn’t drink, the pool doesn’t swim, etc.!

Summary: The Many Uses of Gerunds

Gerunds can be confusing, especially if English isn’t your first language. This is because they’re spelled exactly like the present participle form of a verb, but they act like nouns (or parts of compound nouns).

Hopefully, you now feel more confident about using gerunds in your writing. If there’s an area of grammar that you’re not sure about, check out our guide to common ESL writing errors . And if you’d like a professional to check any of your work for errors, our proofreaders are here to help. Why not try our service today by uploading your first document  for free ?

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Gerund Phrase

What is a gerund phrase? Need help understanding what is a direct object and what isn’t? Check out our page and find examples of what is a direct object, and learn how to weave a direct object into your own writing.

Sometimes a word or phrase appears to be a verb when, in fact, it’s something else. It’s important to look at the function that a word or phrase plays in a sentence before determining its part of speech.

What Is a Gerund Phrase?

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing . A gerund phrase includes the gerund, plus any modifiers and complements. Gerunds and gerund phrases always function as nouns. They can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition in a sentence.

To determine whether a word or phrase is functioning as a gerund versus a present participle, try replacing it with the word something . If something works in the sentence, then the word or phrase is a gerund.

Subject Examples:

( Riding is the gerund. Riding a roller coaster is the gerund phrase. It acts as a subject in the sentence.)

Direct Object Examples:

( Swimming is the gerund. It acts as a direct object in the sentence.)

( Jumping is the gerund, and jumping on the trampoline is the gerund phrase. The gerund phrase acts as a direct object in the sentence.)

Indirect Object Examples:

( Zip lining is the gerund. It acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)

( Walking is the gerund, and walking every day is the gerund phrase. The gerund phrase acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)

Predicate Nominative Examples:

( Running is the gerund. It acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying sport .)

( Working is the gerund, and working with computers is the gerund phrase. The gerund phrase acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying interest .)

Object of a Preposition Examples:

( Gardening is the gerund. It acts as an object of the preposition in in the sentence.)

( Studying is the gerund, and studying for tests is the gerund phrase. The gerund phrase acts as an object of the preposition about in the sentence.)

Related Topics: Gerund Worksheets Verbals Worksheets Verbals Infinitive Phrase Participle Phrase Appositive Phrase Prepositional Phrase Adjective Phrase Adverb Phrase Verb Phrase All Grammar Terms

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Indirect Object

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An indirect object in English grammar identifies to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed, and who is receiving the direct object . It usually comes between the verb and the direct object . For example, in the sentence “She gave Jake a book,” “Jake” is the indirect object, as he is the recipient of the book, the direct object. Understanding indirect objects helps clarify the dynamics of sentence structure, enhancing both comprehension and communication skills. They are essential for constructing clear and effective sentences.

What is a Indirect Object?

An indirect object in a sentence identifies to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed, typically placed between the verb and the direct object. It receives the direct object. For instance, in ‘She gave Jake a book,’ ‘Jake’ is the indirect object.

Functions of Indirect Object

The indirect object in English sentences plays a crucial role in conveying meaning by specifying the recipient of the action described by the verb. Here are the key functions of an indirect object:

• Identifying the Recipient : The indirect object determines who is receiving the direct object or benefiting from the verb’s action. For example, in “Lisa sent her friend a postcard,” ‘her friend’ is the indirect object receiving the postcard.
• Clarifying Sentence Meaning : By including an indirect object, a sentence specifies not just what action is taken but also whom it affects. This clarity enhances understanding and communication.
• Enhancing Sentence Structure : The presence of an indirect object allows for more complex and informative sentence constructions. It enables the speaker to incorporate additional information without resorting to multiple sentences or more cumbersome phrasing.
• Facilitating Emphasis on the Recipient : When a speaker wants to emphasize the recipient of an action rather than the action itself, the indirect object becomes a useful tool. For instance, “I baked my mother a cake” highlights ‘my mother’ as the primary focus of the action, rather than the cake.

Importance of Indirect Object

Indirect objects play a vital role in English grammar, enhancing both the complexity and clarity of communication . Here’s why they are important:

• Nuanced Communication : Indirect objects allow speakers to convey more nuanced information in a sentence. They make it possible to specify not only what action occurred but also who was affected by it. This adds depth to communication, allowing for more detailed storytelling and information sharing.
• Sentence Variety : Using indirect objects introduces a variety of sentence structures, making written and spoken language more engaging and less monotonous. This diversity can capture the listener’s or reader’s interest more effectively.
• Emphasis on Relationships : Indirect objects highlight the relationships between the action, the object, and the participants. For example, in the sentence “The teacher assigned the class homework,” ‘the class’ as the indirect object emphasizes that the action is directed towards the students, not just the homework itself.
• Enhanced Clarity : In complex sentences, indirect objects help clarify who is receiving the direct object, thereby avoiding potential confusion. This clarity is essential in both everyday communication and formal writing to ensure the message is understood as intended.
• Linguistic Efficiency : Indirect objects enable speakers and writers to express ideas succinctly, without needing additional sentences to clarify who is benefiting from or affected by an action. This efficiency is crucial in effective communication.

How to identify an Indirect Object?

Identifying an indirect object in English sentences is crucial for understanding how actions are directed in communication. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you pinpoint indirect objects easily:

• Locate the Action Verb : Start by finding the main action verb in the sentence. Verbs that imply an action being given or communicated, such as “give,” “send,” “tell,” “offer,” or “show,” often have indirect objects.
• Identify the Direct Object : Determine the direct object by asking “What?” or “Whom?” in relation to the verb. This is the person or thing directly affected by the action of the verb.
• Find the Indirect Object : Look for the indirect object, which answers “To whom?” or “For whom?” The indirect object usually precedes the direct object and follows the verb. For example, in the sentence “She gave her brother a gift,” “her brother” is the indirect object because he is the recipient of “a gift.”
• Check Sentence Structure : Indirect objects are typically positioned between the verb and the direct object without a preposition. However, if a preposition phrase with “to” or “for” replaces the indirect object and the sentence still makes sense, it can indicate the presence of an indirect object.
• Rearrangement Test : You can confirm whether a noun phrase is an indirect object by rearranging the sentence with a prepositional phrase. For instance, if “She gave her brother a gift” can be rephrased as “She gave a gift to her brother,” and retains the same meaning, “her brother” functions as the indirect object.

List of Indirect Objects

To help identify indirect objects in sentences, it’s useful to know the verbs that typically accompany them. Here’s a list of common verbs that often have indirect objects, demonstrating the pattern and aiding in recognizing indirect objects more easily:

Indirect Object vs. Direct Object

Indirect Object Pronouns

Indirect object pronouns in English are used to replace the noun phrases that would be the indirect objects in sentences. These pronouns help streamline sentences and avoid repetitive language. Here’s an overview of indirect object pronouns and how they are used:

List of Indirect Object Pronouns

• me (to/for me)
• you (to/for you) [singular and plural]
• him (to/for him)
• her (to/for her)
• it (to/for it)
• us (to/for us)
• them (to/for them)

Usage of Indirect Object Pronouns

Indirect object pronouns are placed before the verb in a sentence, or they can be attached to the infinitive. Here’s how they are typically used:

• “She gave me the book.” (instead of “She gave the book to me.”)
• “I told him the story.” (instead of “I told the story to him.”)
• “She needs to give us a chance.” (can also be structured as “She needs to give a chance to us.”)
• “Can you tell them to come?” (alternative structure: “Can you tell to them to come?”)

Examples in Sentences

• Replacement: “John bought her a gift.”
• Replacement: “We explained them the rules.”
• Replacement remains: “Can you send me the document?”

Indirect Object with Preposition

In English grammar, indirect objects can often appear with prepositions, typically “to” or “for,” to clarify to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed. Understanding how to use these prepositions correctly is crucial for constructing clear and accurate sentences.

Indirect objects without prepositions are typically placed directly after the verb and before the direct object. However, when the sentence structure changes or for clarity, prepositions are used to introduce indirect objects.

Key Points to Remember:

• Example: “She sent an email to her manager.”
• Example: “He bought a gift for his sister.”

Examples in Sentences:

• “Can you explain the solution to me?”
• “He passed the message to the entire team.”
• “They made a reservation for their parents.”
• “I did this for you.”

When to Use Prepositions with Indirect Objects:

• “The officer returned the wallet to the man who had lost it.”
• “She baked a cake especially for her friend.”
• Standard: “She gave me the keys.”
• With Preposition: “She gave the keys to me.”

Examples of Indirect Object in Sentences

Understanding indirect objects within sentences helps clarify who is receiving the action or for whom the action is being done. Here are examples that illustrate the use of indirect objects in different contexts:

• Indirect object: his parents
• Indirect object: her brother
• Indirect object: the students
• Indirect object: me
• Indirect object: her
• Indirect object: us
• Indirect object: the employees
• Indirect object: them
• Indirect object: our guests
• Indirect object: the visitors

There are many ways to improve sentence structure through the utilization of literary devices and techniques. One can improve the sentence’s specificity and provide further insight into the sentence’s subject, theme , context , and tone through the use of indirect objects and transitive verbs .

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How to Use an Indirect Object in a Simple Sentence

One can use indirect objects in a simple sentence to expound on specific contexts and provide a further explanation of the effects of an action or a cause-and-effect relationship.  The indirect object requires the person to utilize a transitive verb, which is a type of verb that requires a direct object and may or may not include an indirect object. This type of verb acts as a direct juxtaposition of an intransitive verb that does not need a direct object.

Step 1: Select or Choose the Intention or Context of the Simple Sentence

Before writing or creating a simple sentence, you must select or choose the intention and context of your simple sentence. This intention and context will not only determine the whole sentence’s words and transitive verb but it will also affect the tone of the words.

Step 2: Create an Outline of a Simple Sentence Using an Indirect Object

You can opt to create an outline or outline format you will use for the simple sentence, which will incorporate the transitive verb, direct object, and indirect object. The format or outline will also help you ensure that you have the correct sentence structure with all the required elements.

Step 3: Write the Simple Sentence with an Indirect Object

After you have done and completed all of the steps above, you must now write a simple sentence that will utilize an indirect object. The usual simple sentence structure that incorporates this type of element is subject + transitive verb + indirect object + direct object.

Step 4: Edit or Proofread the Simple Sentence

When you have finished writing the simple sentence with the indirect object, you must now edit and proofread the contents of the simple sentence to ensure that it is grammatically correct and cohesive. You can also opt to have someone proofread your simple sentence.

What is the difference between an indirect object and a direct object?

The indirect object is the receiver of the direct object through the use of the transitive verb; not all sentences that use transitive verbs have an indirect object. The direct object is the specific object or noun phrase that will receive a specific action from the subject of the sentence; all sentences that use transitive words have a direct object.

How do you identify an indirect object from a direct object?

The indirect object is the person receiving the direct object or the person that is directly receiving the effects of the transitive verb. A sentence that utilizes transitive verbs will have the indirect object directly after the transitive verb. To identify the indirect object, you must determine which noun phrase is receiving the direct object or the effects of the action.

What is a gerund, and how to use it as an indirect object?

A gerund is a type of noun that has a verb structure of verb + ing but acts as a noun, direct object, or indirect object. One can use gerunds as an indirect object when they are referring to a specific verb that the subject wants to describe or affect.

An indirect object is a noun phrase one will use to accompany a transitive verb when one wants to establish a receiver of an action or the direct object. Proper utilization of the indirect object will ensure that the target market or audience understands the person that the subject is currently affecting or providing the direct object with.

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