Download Direct Objects and Indirect Objects Study Guide

Direct Objects and Indirect Objects Study Guide
A DIRECT OBJECT is a noun, pronoun, or group of words that tells who or what receives the
action of the verb.
To find the direct object, find the verb and ask yourself WHOM or WHAT.
Look at the following examples.
1. Lauren ate a pizza yesterday. (The subject is Lauren, and the verb is ate. We ask
ourselves, “Lauren ate what?” The answer to that question is a pizza, so pizza is our
direct object.)
2. Sonia finished a book last night. (The subject is Sonia, and the verb is finished. We ask
ourselves, “Sonia finished what?” The answer to that question is a book, so book is our
direct object.)
3. Ethan painted a picture and did his homework last night. (The subject is Ethan, and the
verbs are painted and did. We ask ourselves, “Ethan painted what?” The answer to that
question is a picture, so picture is the direct object. We also ask ourselves, “Ethan did
what?” The answer to that question is her homework, so homework is another direct
object.
4. Jordan heard a loud noise and screamed loudly. (The subject is Jordan, and the verbs are
heard and screamed. We ask ourselves, “Jordan heard what?” The answer to that
question is a noise, so noise is the direct object. We also ask ourselves, “Jordan
screamed what?” We can’t answer that question, so screamed does not have a direct
object.)
An INDIRECT OBJECT is a noun or pronoun that tells to whom, for whom, to what, or for what
the action of the verb is being done.
In order to have a sentence with an indirect object, you must also have a direct object. (Not
every sentence with a direct object will have an indirect object, however.) The indirect object
usually comes between the verb and the direct object.
To find the indirect object:
1. Find the direct object (using the direct object question above).
2. Ask yourself this question: SUBJECT + VERB + DIRECT OBJECT + TO WHOM, FOR
WHOM, TO WHAT, or FOR WHAT?
Look at the following examples:
1. Seth gave Jordan a new pen.
Direct object: Seth gave what? (a pen)
Indirect object: Seth gave a pen to whom? (Jordan)
2. During third period, I told Ms. Nelly a secret.
Direct object: I told what? (a secret)
Indirect object: I told a secret to whom? (Ms. Nelly)