The document defines and provides examples of direct objects and indirect objects in sentences. A direct object receives the action of a verb and can be identified by asking "whom?" or "what?" about the verb. An indirect object tells to whom or for whom the action is performed, and it requires a direct object as well. Only action verbs, not linking verbs, can take indirect and direct objects.

2. A noun or a pronoun.
Follows an action verb.
Receives the action of a verb.
A direct object can be
found by asking Whom? or
What? about an action
verb.

3. A direct object can be found by asking
Whom? or What? about an action
verb.
The message reached the lawyer.
subject action verb Direct Object
The message reached WHOM?

4. His landlord is raising the rent.
A direct object can be found by asking
Whom? or What? about an action
verb.
subject action verb Direct Object
Is raising WHAT?

5. Marty and Carol served pie and
ice cream for dessert.
A direct object can be found by asking
Whom? or What? about an action
verb.
subject
action
verb DO
Marty and Carol served
WHAT?
DO

6. A direct object is never an adverb
or the object of a preposition.
Joanne walked briskly.
Joanne walked her dog.
Joanne walked to the store.
D.O.
Prepositional phrase
adverb

8. Andy brought a flower.
subj. action verb direct obj.
Andy brought me a flower.
subj. action verb indirect obj direct obj.
A noun or a pronoun.
Tells to whom or to what or for
whom or for what the action of the verb
is done.

9. A noun or a pronoun.
Tells to whom or to what or for whom or for what the
action of the verb is done.
Sarah showed the class her new glasses.
subject action verb indirect object direct object
Jeff gave Caroline a chess set.
Jeff gave a chess set to whom?
Sarah showed her new glasses to whom?

10. Please Note…
If there is an indirect
object, there must be a
direct object.
However, you can have a
direct object without
an indirect object.

11. **ONLY**ONLY ACTION VERBSACTION VERBS HAVEHAVE
INDIRECT OBJECTS and DIRECTINDIRECT OBJECTS and DIRECT
OBJECTS**OBJECTS**
Linking verbs do NOT have indirectLinking verbs do NOT have indirect
objects or direct objectsobjects or direct objects
Linking verb: Zachary was a silly boy.
Action verb: Zachary saw a silly boy.