Indirect/Direct objects Sanders - 2018

Direct Objects (D.O.) Definition: A noun or pronoun that receives the action of a “transitive verb” in an active sentence or shows the result of the action. Transitive verb = action verb with a D.O. It answers the question “What?” or “Whom?” after an action verb.

Simple Direct Object A simple direct object consists of a noun or pronoun. For example: Mary burnt the toast. * What did Mary burn? She burnt the toast, so “the toast” is the direct object.

Complex Direct Object A complex direct object consists of that noun and pronoun and any modifiers that accompany it. For example: Mary burnt the toast that she left in the oven for half an hour. * What did Mary burn? She burnt “the toast that she left in the oven for half an hour,” which is the complex direct object.

Compound Direct Object A compound direct object consists of two or more noun phrases joined together with a coordinating conjunction. For example: Mary burnt the toast and eggs. * What did Mary burn? She burnt “the toast and the eggs,” which is the compound direct object.

How to determine Direct Objects Another useful method for determining whether a noun or noun phrase acts as the direct object is to attempt to rephrase the sentence in the passive voice. If you can turn the sentence into the passive form, then the direct object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. If the noun or noun phrase is not a direct object, then the sentence will not convert into a passive form.

How to determine Direct Objects For example: Active: Todd sang a song. Passive: A song was sung by Todd. * The direct object, “a song,” of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive one. Active: Malasianay became a track star. * “A track star” is not a direct object and thus cannot become the subject in a passive sentence.

More Examples of Direct Objects She closed the door. * “door” is the direct object because it is directly affected by her action. She closed what? (door) 2. Mail the letter and call him. * “letter” and “him” are direct objects. Mail what? (letter) Call whom? (him)

Indirect objects: I.O. tells “to whom” or “for whom” the action of the verb is done and who is receiving the direct object

Indirect OBjects (I.o.) * There must be a direct object to have an indirect object. * Indirect objects are usually found with verbs of giving or communicating like give, bring, tell, show, take, or offer. * An indirect object is always a noun or pronoun which is not part of a prepositional phrase. * Indirect objects are usually placed directly before the direct object. * The indirect object answers the questions to what? for what? to whom? for whom? after the action verb.

Indirect Objects Examples For example: He gave Mary a rose. * The predicate of the above sentence consists of the transitive verb “gave,” the indirect object “Mary,” and the direct object “rose.” * The indirect object, “Mary,” is the person to whom the rose is given. He gave a rose to whom? (Mary)

Complex indirect object A complex indirect object consists of the simple indirect object and all the words describing it. For example: I bought the little boy with the snaggletooth a lollipop. * simple indirect object = “boy” * complex indirect object = “the little boy with the snaggletooth”

Compound indirect objects A compound indirect object is an object consisting of two or more noun phrases joined together by a coordinating conjunction. (*FANBOYS) For example: I bought the little boy and his sister a lollipop. * compound indirect object = “the little boy and his sister”

Indirect Object Examples She gave me the report. * She gave the report to whom? (Me) “Me” is the indirect object. I bought Aunt Marie a raspberry pie. * I bought a raspberry pie for whom? (Aunt Marie) I didn’t buy Aunt Marie, did I? No – so she is the indirect object.

REMINDERS AND EXERCISES Remember – An ACTION VERB is a verb that shows action. A few action verbs, like understand, are mental processes and can’t be demonstrated Remember – An action verb sometimes needs a word to finish its meaning. If this is true, the verb is a TRANSITIVE VERB.

Direct and Indirect objects worksheet

Direct and indirect objects in images. Look at the images. (There are two). Discuss what is happening; what is it showing? Then, write five sentences describing ONE image; the key is that each of your sentences should contain a direct and indirect object. Be prepared to share your writing and deconstruct the grammar in each. Objects in a picture Direct and indirect objects in images.