Direct Object vs. Indirect Object Lesson

DIRECT OBJECTS

​Lesson Objective:

Today we will Learn about Action Verbs and Direct Objects and how to identify them in a sentence.

DIRECT OBJECT

• A direct object receives the action in the sentence. It usually answers the question what? or whom?

• To find the direct object, find the action verb in the sentence. Then ask what? or whom? about the verb.

examples

• Sam drove Jilly to her mother’s house. (Drove is the action verb. Whom did Sam drive? Jilly is the direct object.)

• The coach blew her whistle. (Blew is the action verb. What did the coach blow? Whistle is the direct object.)

Remember to use object pronouns for a direct object.

• singular: me, you, him, her, it

• plural: us, you, them

Indirect Objects

• Sometimes the direct object is received by someone or something. This receiver is called the indirect object. It usually comes before the direct object and tells to whom the action is directed or for whom the action is performed. Only verbs that have direct objects can have indirect objects.

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EXAMPLE

• Lorelei gave the teacher her project. (Gave is the action verb. Project is the direct object because it tells what Lorelei gave. Teacher is an indirect object. It tells to whom Lorelei gave her project.)

QUIZ TIME

Are you ready?

Multiple Choice

The clerk offered the couple some tea.

• the couple IS THE INDIRECT OBJECT

• the couple IS THE DIRECT OBJECT

Multiple Choice

The clerk offered the couple some tea.

• some tea is the DIRECT OBJECT

• some tea is the INDIRECT OBJECT