Download direct object

Action words are often joined by words that
complete their meanings.
These words are called complements.
The two type of complements that go with
action verbs are called Direct Objects and
Indirect Objects.
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that
names the receiver of a verb’s action. The
direct object answers the question what or
whom.
Americans love the automobile.
Love is the action verb.
Americans love what? The automobile.
Automobile is the Direct Object.
An indirect object tells to what or whom or for what or
whom an action is done. Verbs that often take an
indirect object include: bring, give, hand, lend, make,
send, show, teach, tell, and write. Action verbs that
have an indirect object will always have a direct
object.
Sue gave her sisters a ride.
Gave is the action verb.
Sue gave what? Ride
Ride is the direct object.
Sue gave a ride to whom? Sisters
Sisters is the indirect object.
Cars changed our society.
Find the action verb and the
complement(s).
Martin’s mother taught him the rules of the
road.
Find the action verb and the
complement(s).
Remember: YOU CAN ONLY HAVE DIRECT AND
INDIRECT OBJECTS IF THERE IS AN ACTION VERB!
If the preposition to or for appears in the sentence,
the word that follows it is not an indirect object,
it is the object of the preposition.
Martin’s mother taught the rules of the road to
him.
In this sentence, to him is a prepositional
phrase and there is only a direct object.

Transitive Verbs- an action verb that has a
direct object
◦ Good drivers avoid accidents.
 Avoid is the action verb. Avoid what? Accidents.
Accidents is the direct object. Since the sentence has a
direct object, the verb avoid is transitive.
◦ They stay alert.
 Stay is the action verb. Alert is not a noun or pronoun,
so it is not a direct object. There is no direct object in
this sentence, so the verb stay is intransitive.