indirect object

​An indirect object is the noun or pronoun for which the action described by the verb takes place.

It often comes right before the direct object.

A sentence can have an indirect object only if it has a direct object.

To find the indirect object, ask To whom, To what? For whom? or For what? the action is performed.

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Multiple Choice

Click on the indirect object in the sentence.

The blaring music at the concert gave me a terrible headache.

• me

• at the concert

• headache

• the blaring music

The indirect object receives the direct object of the sentence.

An indirect object is always a noun, and a direct object must exist before an indirect object can exist.

Here is an example of a sentence WITHOUT an indirect object:

Stan built a house.

• Stan built what?

• House is the direct object.

a direct object must exist before an indirect object can exist.

Example of a sentence WITH an indirect object:

• Stan built Julie a house.

  • Stan built what?

    • A house.

      • House is the direct object.

    • Stan built a house for whom?

      • Julie is the indirect object.

Multiple Choice

How to Find the Indirect Object?

• To find an indirect object, ask “to whom/what?” or “for whom/what” the direct object is intended.

• To find an indirect object, ask “to where/what?”

• To find an indirect object, ask “to which/what?”

• To find an indirect object, ask “to which/where?”

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• Dan made her a cake.

  • Dan made what? A cake.

    • Cake is the direct object.

  • To whom/what or for whom/what did Dan make the cake? Her.

    • Her is the indirect object.

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• Martina read Maria the book.

  • Martina read what? The book.

    • Book is the direct object.

  • To whom did Martina read the book? To Maria.

    • Maria is the indirect object.

Direct Object vs. Indirect Object

Direct Objects:

A direct object is the recipient of the action of the verb.

• John threw Steve the ball.

• What is it that John threw? He threw the ball.

• Indirect Objects:

  An indirect object receives the direct object.

  • John threw Steve the ball.

  Who received the ball? Steve did.

  If you ask yourself these questions, finding the direct object and indirect object is easy.

Messica told Gretchen the update.
(Gretchen is the indirect object, and update is the direct object.)

Messica -subject

told - verb

what did Messica tell? update

to whom? Gretchen

Multiple Choice

In this sentence, what is the indirect object:

I showed them a movie.

• a movie

• them

• I

• showed

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• Obi-Wan gave Luke Skywalker a lightsaber.

Indirect Object: Luke Skywalker. He is the noun for whom the verb (gave) was completed.

Subject + Verb + indirect Object + direct object

John bought his son a present
(For whom did John buy a present?  = his son)

The office staff gave Phillip a card
(To whom did the staff give a card? = Philliip)