2. Direct Objects
In a sentence, the object that receives the
action of a verb is called “direct object”.
For example, in the sentence:
Mike and Don bought a new car.
What did Mike and Don buy?
They bought a new car. So, new car is the
direct object.
3. To identify the direct object we can simply
ask whom? Or what?
Examples:
1) The doctor had my mother waiting a long time.
Whom waited a long time?
my mother. So, my mother is the direct
object.
4. 2) All students failed the final exam.
What did the students fail?
the final exam. So, final exam is the direct object.
3) The loud noise caught my attention.
What did the loud noise catch?
my attention. So, my attention is the direct object.
5. Indirect Objects
In a sentence, the indirect object usually
refers to a person and it frequently
comes between the verb and the direct
object.
6. For example, in the sentence:
verb
Direct object
Paul gave his girlfriend a big rose.
rose is the direct object and the object
between it and the verb ‘gave’ is the
indirect object, that is: his girlfriend.
7. To identify the indirect object we can simply
ask to whom? or to what?
Examples:
1) Claire delivered her dad the parcel.
To whom did Claire deliver the parcel?
To her dad. So, her dad is the indirect object.
8. 2) Bob should write his mom a letter.
To whom should Bob write a letter?
To his mom. So, his mom is the indirect object.
3) They will send us a fax immediately.
To whom will they send a fax?
To us. So, us is the indirect object.
9. Sometimes, the indirect object can come
after the direct object. In such cases, we
use either for or to with the indirect
object.
10. For example, the sentence:
I can lend you the book.
Can be turned into:
I can lend the book to you.
12. Kristi made me a delicious cake.
Kristi made a delicious cake for me.
13. However, be careful! We never use ‘for’ or ‘to’
with the indirect object if this is between the
verb and the direct object.
For example, the sentence :
I can lend to you the book.
Is incorrect.
14. Practice
In the following sentences underline the
direct object and circle the indirect
object.
Example:
He will write Sandy a letter.
15. They’ve bought their son a new car.
Sheila cooked her family an awesome dinner.
The students have already shown me their project.
She sent Dan a letter.
Stop telling me lies!
The plumber sent us the bill for fixing the pipe.
Mike bought us tickets for tomorrow’s game.
Grandma read the children a story before bed.
Steve wrote her a beautiful poem.
The doctor prescribed Rob some medicine.
16. Now, re-write the former sentences, using
for or to.
Example:
He will write Sandy a letter.
He will write a letter to Sandy.
