Direct Objects
Receiving the
action
Direct Objects:
 receive the action of
the verb.
 follow an action verb
 verb may have helping
verbs
Examples:
 The teacher threw an eraser.
 What was the object that the
teacher threw?
 Eraser, then, is the direct
object; the eraser received
the action.
Practice:
I kicked the desk.
 I pulled Jane’s hair.
 I tossed the pencil.

Remember:
 Cross out prepositional
phrases to help determine
if a direct object is in the
sentence. There will be
fewer words left in the
sentence.
1. The child grabbed the toy from his
brother.
2. Susan chose the pick dress for the
dance.
3. After dinner Father washed the
dishes.
4. We ate bananas for breakfast.
5. The girl hit the ball to left field.
6. The cook fried an egg in that frying
pan.
7. During the ceremony, the speaker
presented an award to the student.
8. The other school played a game
against our school.
9. The plumber took her tools with
her.
10. The gardener chased the rabbits
off his property.
11. The baby threw the rattle onto
the floor.
12. The officer parked the car near the
police station.
13. At the restaurant the waiters
carry large trays.
14. The hikers carried their packs
across town.
15. Set the groceries by the
microwave oven.
Compound Direct Objects
 A sentence may contain
compound direct objects.
 This means that there are
two or more direct objects
within a sentence.
Examples:
A. The toddler chased the dog
and cat around the house.
B. The artist drew birds,
flowers, and butterflies in
the painting.
Exercise pg. 2:
1. We ate bacon and eggs for breakfast.
2. The traveler dropped his luggage and
his keys beside me.
3. Within an hour, the detective
had caught the burglar and his
accomplice.
4. During the sale, my mother purchased a
new blouse and some earrings.
5. Nikki and Dakota baked cookies and
coconut pie for the bake sale.
6. The farmer planted tomatoes and
peppers in his garden.
7. Take fried chicken and potato salad on
the picnic.
8. Before his trip, the pilot ironed his
pants and shirt.
9. You will find the mop and broom
in the laundry room.
10. Are you buying French fries and a
soda at our favorite restaurant?
11. Some of the students took their books
and notebooks with them.
12. The shopper selected fish and
broccoli for dinner.
13. A couple received a toaster and a
blender for a wedding gift.
14. I placed toys and other junk under
my bed.
15. Over the door we hung ribbons and
balloons for the birthday party.
Verbs:
The verb of a sentence
expresses an action or simple
states a fact.
Verbs that simply state a fact
are often called state of being
verbs.
Examples:
 Jenny cut down the old oak tree.
 (action)
 Waiters set the table for the buffet.
 (action)
 Our senator is happy about the new
law.
 (fact)
 My brother was in a bad mood.
 (fact)
Verbs Phrases:
 When two or more words make up a verb.
 The last word in a verb phrase is called the
main verb.
 Other words are called auxiliary (helping)
verbs.
 In a declarative (statement) sentence, the
verb phrase is usually together.
 In an interrogative (question) sentence, the
verb phrase is often split.
 Have my jeans been washed yet?
Don’t forget:
 Put a line through prepositional
phrases.
 Put infinitive phrases in parentheses.
 Put a box around an adverb (not, or
“n’t” in a contraction).
 Underline subject once, and verb or
verb phrases twice.
Exercise pg. 4
1. Will you answer the phone?
2. Dr. Jones must have shown your
sister the x-rays.
3. May Connie and I leave now?
4. There must have been an accident
on this corner.
5. Did Katy return her imperfect
briefcase?
6. Was any chair sold for fifty dollars?
7. Peter should not have stayed at the
park.
8. My student has had strep throat
three times.
9. Doesn’t your dad cook breakfast
every Saturday morning?
10. They could fix the light after working
hours.
11. I’m searching for the word in the
dictionary.
12. Has anyone seen the Egyptian
pyramids?
13. The jury might decide the verdict
today.
14. I shall inform you of my decision.
15. That would never have occurred
to me.