Direct and Indirect Objects
Direct objects receive the action from the verb. They also answer the questions
what? or whom? Direct objects are nouns, pronouns, or words acting as nouns.
There can be more than one in a sentence or none at all.
Identify the direct objects in the sentences below. If there is none, write “none”
on the line.
1. Estella sold her computer. _________________________________
2. Timmy fell down the stairs last night. __________________________
3. Did you see the meteor shower last night? ________________________
4. Tamara watched the professor so she wouldn’t miss anything important.
______________________
5. Our neighbors finally trimmed their hedges. ________________________
6. The horse jumped gracefully over the fence. _______________________
7. The eagle soared high over the dense pine forest. ___________________
Indirect objects are related to direct objects, but they have some differences.
While the direct object receives action from the verb, the indirect object
receives a direct object. It answers the questions to whom? for whom? or to
what? The indirect object is always a noun or a pronoun. It will come after the
verb and before the direct object. A sentence cannot have an indirect object
without a direct object.
See if you can identify the direct and indirect object in the example.
Ex. Katherine gave the car a wash and wax before driving to school.
Now try these practice sentences on your own. Label the verb first, underline the
direct object, and circle the indirect object.
1. The owner gave us a discount.
2. Alan brought Patty and Stan candy.
3. Helen gave the bookcase a new coat of paint.
4. Larry threw Jeff a party on the back porch.
5. I bought you a new jacket while I was out.
Below are sentences containing direct and indirect objects. Label the verbs
with a V, and then underline the direct objects. If the sentence contains an
indirect object, circle it. Not all sentences will contain an indirect object.
Use the rules and the questions for finding direct and indirect objects to
help you.
1. Abby mailed Simon the valentine with the big red heart.
2. Confused students should ask the teacher questions.
3. The shortstop threw the ball to the second baseman.
4. That generous woman bought us tickets to the Incubus concert.
5. President Bush threw the first on Opening Day.
6. The old woman next door offered candy to all the trick-or-treaters.
7. Maria will lend you her notes when you are absent.
8. Hansel and Gretel skipped merrily to the witch’s house.
9. George ate Paul’s piece of pie.
10. Can you lend me some money?
11. We usually eat ice cream for dessert.
12. Throw that dead plant away!