Grammar Mini LessonDirect and Indirect ObjectsLecture Notes

What You Should Know About Objects

•An object is often necessary to complete a basic sentence containing an action verb. •Objects also make sentences more meaningful to the readers.

Direct Object• A direct object is the noun or pronoun that is

receiving the action from the verb in the sentences. They answer whom or what regarding the action verb. • Scott kicked the ball into the net.• Subject = Scott • Predicate = Kicked • Kicked what? ball

• There can be more than one direct object in a sentence = compound direct object. • David planted an apple tree and a lemon tree this weekend.• Subject = David• Predicate = Planted • Planted what? apple tree / lemon tree

Indirect Object• An indirect object is directly related to the direct object; it

tells who or what is the recipient of the direct object. • You can NOT have an indirect object without having a

direct object first.• You do NOT have to have an indirect object in a sentence. • To identify an indirect object in the sentence, ask to or for

whom? – or - to or for what? after the action verb. • Steven showed Corey his new car.• Subject = Steven • Predicate = Showed • Showed who or what? - Car = direct object• To or for whom/what? - Corey = indirect object

• Indirect objects can always be found between the verb and the direct object!

Now you try! Practice in your notes…1. Kayla baked Jared a cake for his birthday.

• Subject = • Predicate = • Direct Object = • Indirect Object =

2. Margaret sent a postcard to Donna.• Subject = • Predicate = • Direct Object = • Indirect Object =

3. Margaret sent Donna a postcard.• Subject = • Predicate = • Direct Object = • Indirect Object =

Answers1. Kayla baked Jared a cake for his birthday.

• Subject = Kayla• Predicate = baked • Direct Object = cake• Indirect Object = Jared

2. Margaret sent a postcard to Donna.• Subject = Margaret• Predicate = sent• Direct Object = postcard• Indirect Object = None

3. Margaret sent Donna a postcard.• Subject = Margaret• Predicate = sent• Direct Object = postcard• Indirect Object = Donna