Direct and Indirect Objects

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb directly. It answers the question 'what?' or 'whom?' after an action verb.

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. It answers the question 'to whom?', 'for whom?', 'to what?', or 'for what?' the action of the verb is done.

mouse

friend

Identifying direct and indirect objects helps to understand the structure of sentences and the relationships between the subjects, verbs, and objects.

the lesson

his mother

You ask 'what?' or 'whom?' after the verb.

You ask 'to whom?' or 'for whom?' after the direct object.

Yes, a sentence can have both a direct and an indirect object.