Direct and Indirect Direct and Indirect ObjectsObjects

Reminders…

Subject:Subject: performs the action of performs the action of the sentence.the sentence.

Verb:Verb: is the action of the is the action of the sentence.sentence.

Direct Objects:Direct Objects:

A A direct objectdirect object is a is a noun or pronoun noun or pronoun that receives the that receives the action of a action of a transitive actiontransitive action verb.verb.

ExamplesExamplesTo find the direct object ask:To find the direct object ask: “ “What?” or “Whom?” What?” or “Whom?” OROR “ “For What?” or “For Whom?”For What?” or “For Whom?” of the verb.of the verb.

The old man chewed his food.The old man chewed his food.

The dog dug a hole under the fence.The dog dug a hole under the fence.

Alexander the Great conquered Alexander the Great conquered leaders in most of ancient Europe.leaders in most of ancient Europe.

Chewed what?

Dug what?

Conquered what?

Identify the Direct Objects in Identify the Direct Objects in the following sentences.the following sentences.

Tommy caught the flu and is at home sick.Tommy caught the flu and is at home sick. My teacher wanted my essay.My teacher wanted my essay. The Seahawks played an amazing game in The Seahawks played an amazing game in

spite of their loss Monday night.spite of their loss Monday night. After class, I wrote a note.After class, I wrote a note. The young girl scouts sold cookies and The young girl scouts sold cookies and

drinks at the football game. drinks at the football game.

Indirect Objects:Indirect Objects: An An indirect objectindirect object is a is a

noun or pronoun that noun or pronoun that indirectly receives the indirectly receives the action of a action of a transitive transitive actionaction verb. It names verb. It names the person to whom or the person to whom or for whom something is for whom something is done.done.

ExamplesExamplesTo find the indirect object ask:To find the indirect object ask: “ “To Who?” or “To Whom?” ORTo Who?” or “To Whom?” OR““For Who? or “For Whom?For Who? or “For Whom?of the direct object.of the direct object.

After class I wrote her a note.After class I wrote her a note. My cousin brought us freshly picked My cousin brought us freshly picked

vegetables.vegetables. Loud music gives my brother Loud music gives my brother

headaches.headaches.

Wrote what?To whom?

Brought what?For who?

Gives what?To whom?

Identify the Indirect Objects in Identify the Indirect Objects in the following sentences.the following sentences.

Hannah sent me an email.Hannah sent me an email. Caroline baked her family double-fudge Caroline baked her family double-fudge

brownies.brownies. Ben’s sister made the team a pitcher of Ben’s sister made the team a pitcher of

lemonade.lemonade. I gave the dog a dish of water.I gave the dog a dish of water. Johnny Depp gave me his autograph. Johnny Depp gave me his autograph.

Danger Will Robinson!Danger Will Robinson!When the indirect object follows a preposition, it When the indirect object follows a preposition, it becomes the object of the preposition, and is no becomes the object of the preposition, and is no longer considered an indirect object.longer considered an indirect object.

Example: Indirect ObjectAfter class I wrote her a note.

Example: Prepositional PhraseAfter class I wrote a note to her.

Since it follows the preposition to, it is the object of the preposition and NOT an indirect object.

Question:Question: Indirect Object or Indirect Object or Object of the Preposition?Object of the Preposition?

Walker gave the bone to the dog.Walker gave the bone to the dog. I tutored my sister for her math test.I tutored my sister for her math test. On Thanksgiving, my mother prepared us On Thanksgiving, my mother prepared us

a feast.a feast. On Halloween, my family gave candy to On Halloween, my family gave candy to

the neighborhood children.the neighborhood children. The middle school sent the shelter five The middle school sent the shelter five

hundred cans of food. hundred cans of food.

OPOP

IOIO

IOIO

OPOP

OPOP

Transitive VerbsTransitive VerbsVerbs which transfer their action to an Verbs which transfer their action to an object. In other words, transitive verbs object. In other words, transitive verbs have a direct object.have a direct object.

Note:Note: For a sentence to have an indirect object, it For a sentence to have an indirect object, it must must alwaysalways have a direct object, but a sentence have a direct object, but a sentence can have a direct object without an indirect can have a direct object without an indirect object.object.

Intransitive VerbsIntransitive VerbsVerb that completes its action without an object.Verb that completes its action without an object.

Examples:Examples:

I apologized for my late assignment. assignment is the object of the preposition for; there is

no direct object.

I explained about my sore toe. toe is the object of the preposition about; there is no

direct object

Remember…Remember…

Since a linking verb does not express an action, it Since a linking verb does not express an action, it is intransitive.is intransitive.

Apologies Apologies areare wonderful. (Predicate Adjective) wonderful. (Predicate Adjective)

My explanation My explanation waswas a failure. (Predicate Noun) a failure. (Predicate Noun)