In this lesson, we will explore Direct and Indirect Objects—a fundamental concept in English grammar. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and use direct and indirect objects confidently in sentences.
What Are Direct and Indirect Objects?
In English, verbs often work with objects to complete their meaning. These objects can be categorized into two types:
- Direct Object: The thing or person being acted upon.
- Indirect Object: The person or thing receiving the direct object.
Let’s break it down further.
Definition of a Direct Object
The direct object answers the question “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb.
Examples:
-
She bought a book.
Question: What did she buy? Answer: A book. -
He called his friend.
Question: Whom did he call? Answer: His friend.
Definition of an Indirect Object
The indirect object answers the question “To whom?” or “For whom?” after the verb.
Examples:
-
She gave her sister a gift.
Question: To whom did she give a gift? Answer: Her sister. -
He sent me an email.
Question: To whom did he send an email? Answer: Me.
Structure of Sentences with Direct and Indirect Objects
There are two common ways to structure sentences with direct and indirect objects:
1. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
This is the most common structure in spoken English.
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| She gave her friend a book. | She gave her friend a book. “Her friend” is the indirect object, and “a book” is the direct object. |
2. Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Preposition + Indirect Object
This structure is more formal and often used in written English.
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| She gave a book to her friend. | She gave a book to her friend. “A book” is the direct object, and “to her friend” shows the indirect object. |
Identifying Direct and Indirect Objects
To identify the objects in a sentence, follow these steps:
- Find the verb.
- Ask “What?” or “Whom?” to find the direct object.
- Ask “To whom?” or “For whom?” to find the indirect object.
Practice Examples:
| Sentence | Direct Object | Indirect Object |
|---|---|---|
| I showed my mom the picture. | The picture | My mom |
| They sent us a letter. | A letter | Us |
Common Verbs Used with Direct and Indirect Objects
Here is a list of common verbs that take both direct and indirect objects:
| Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Give | She gave him a present. |
| Send | He sent her a message. |
| Tell | They told me a story. |
| Show | I showed you the photos. |
| Offer | She offered them some tea. |
Key Takeaways
- A direct object answers “What?” or “Whom?” after the verb.
- An indirect object answers “To whom?” or “For whom?” after the verb.
- Sentences can be structured as Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object or Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Preposition + Indirect Object.
- Practice identifying and rewriting sentences to master this concept!
You are now ready to use direct and indirect objects effectively in your English communication. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature.