Parts of a Sentence Object of a Verb
Complement; does NOT identify or modify the subject Noun, pronoun, or word group that completes the meaning Examples: The cat was chasing a moth. Moth He interviewed the Secretary of State. Secretary of State Two kinds of objects!
Direct Object Noun, pronoun, or word group that tells WHO or WHAT receives the action May be compound NEVER in prepositional phrases!! I took my little sister to the movies. I took whom? Sister! The parrot said “Good morning” and “Hello.” The parrot said what? Good morning, hello
Indirect Object Noun, pronoun, or word group often in sentences with direct objects. Tells TO/FOR WHOM or TO/FOR WHAT the action is done Never in a prepositional phrase!! May be compound Mary read us her report. Read to whom? Us (read what? Report) John left you this message. Left for whom? You (left what? Message)
Practice! Identify direct & indirect objects Last summer, Leroy told us his plans for the future. He wants a place on the Olympic team. This goal demands hours of practice. Every day, Leroy swims one hundred laps. Such intense training could cost him his social life.