Direct Objects and Indirect Objects
A direct or indirect object has a relationship with the action verb that precedes it. A direct object directly receives the action of the verb. An indirect object indirectly receives the action.
Direct and Indirect Objects in a Sentence
An object in grammar is something that is acted on. The subject does the action; the object receives it.
An object is usually a noun or a pronoun.
There are three types of objects:
- direct object
- indirect object
- object of the preposition
KEEP IN MIND . . .
When there is an indirect object, it will be placed between the verb and the direct object.
Many sentences have a direct object. Some sentences also have an indirect object.
Look at these examples:
- Kim threw the ball. The ball is the direct object. Ask yourself: What did she throw?
- Kim threw Tommy the ball. Tommy is the indirect object. Ask yourself: Who did she throw it to?
Look for the objects in the sentences below.
| Sentence | Direct Object | Indirect Object | Be Careful! |
| Her mom poured her a glass of milk. | a glass of milk ( ask: what did she pour?) |
her (ask: who did she pour it for?) |
The indirect object, when there is one, can be found between the verb and the direct object. |
| They work hard. | Not all sentences have objects. Here, hard is not an object. It is not the recipient of work . Instead, it is a modifier; it describes the work. | ||
| Kazu bought Katrina a present. | a present (ask: what did he buy?) |
Katrina (ask: whom did he buy it for?) |
|
| Kazu bought a present for Katrina. | a present (ask: what did he buy?) |
Don’t confuse indirect objects with prepositional phrases. For is a preposition, so Katrina is the object of the preposition; it is not an indirect object. |
BE CAREFUL!
Some verbs can never take direct objects. These are:
- Linking verbs such as is and seem.
- Intransitive verbs such as snore, go, sit, and die.
- Ask yourself: Can you snore something? No. Therefore, this verb cannot take a direct object.
Let’s Review!
- A direct object directly receives the action of the verb.
- An indirect object indirectly receives the action of the verb.
- An indirect object comes between the verb and the direct object.
KEEP IN MIND . . .
If there is a preposition, the object is the object of the preposition rather than an indirect object.
Compare these two sentences:
- She made me dinner . ( Me is an indirect object.)
- She made dinner for me . ( For me is a prepositional phrase.)
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