Indirect object

Definition

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of a verb is performed. It typically follows the verb and comes before the direct object in a sentence, acting as a recipient of the action. Understanding indirect objects is essential for grasping sentence structure, especially in relation to verb phrases and the function of objects within them.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An indirect object is always located between the verb and the direct object in a sentence.
2. Not all sentences have an indirect object; it is only present when there is a direct object to receive the action.
3. To identify an indirect object, you can ask 'to whom?' or 'for whom?' after stating the direct object.
4. Indirect objects can be replaced with pronouns like 'him', 'her', or 'them' without changing the meaning of the sentence.
5. In sentences without a direct object, you cannot have an indirect object.

Review Questions

• How can you identify an indirect object in a sentence?
  • You can identify an indirect object by locating the direct object first and then asking 'to whom?' or 'for whom?' the action of the verb is done. For example, in the sentence 'She gave him a book,' 'a book' is the direct object. Asking 'to whom did she give a book?' reveals that 'him' is the indirect object.
• Discuss how understanding indirect objects enhances comprehension of verb phrase structure.
  • Understanding indirect objects enhances comprehension of verb phrase structure by illustrating how different components of a sentence interact with one another. Since an indirect object comes before a direct object and follows the verb, recognizing its position helps clarify how actions are distributed within sentences. This knowledge is crucial when constructing grammatically correct sentences and ensures proper alignment of subjects, verbs, and their corresponding objects.
• Evaluate the impact of removing an indirect object on sentence meaning and structure.
  • Removing an indirect object from a sentence can significantly alter its meaning and structure. The action may still occur, but the recipient of that action becomes unclear or lost. For instance, in 'He sent her a letter,' if we eliminate 'her,' it becomes 'He sent a letter,' which loses the information about who received it. This change illustrates how indirect objects contribute to conveying complete thoughts in communication.

Related terms

direct object: A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb directly, answering the questions 'what?' or 'whom?'

verb phrase:

A verb phrase consists of a main verb along with its auxiliaries, which can include complements like direct and indirect objects.

sentence diagramming: Sentence diagramming is a visual method used to represent the structure of a sentence, illustrating the relationships between words and phrases, including subjects, verbs, and objects.