What is an Indirect Object

What is an Indirect Object

Q. Describe briefly the indirect object and other kinds of object.

Object

An object in English grammar is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of the verb or is affected by it.

Objects provide more information and complete the meaning of the sentence. They answer questions like “What” “Whom” “To whom” or “For whom”.

Objects can appear in different forms:

Single-Word Noun

A single-word noun names a specific person, place, thing, or idea and serves as the object in a sentence.

Example

She reads books.

‘Books’ is a single-word noun acting as the object because it’s what she reads.

Pronoun

A pronoun replaces a noun and can act as an object when it receives the action of the verb.

Example

I saw him yesterday.

‘Him’ is a pronoun used as the object because it’s whom I saw.

Noun Phrase

A noun phrase includes a noun and additional words that describe or modify it, adding detail and serving as the object in a sentence.

Example

She admires the beautiful painting on the wall.

‘The beautiful painting on the wall’ is a noun phrase serving as the object because it’s what she admires.

Noun Clause

A noun clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that functions as a noun, conveying a complete idea.

Example

He wonders why the experiment failed.

‘Why the experiment failed’ is a noun clause acting as the object because it’s what he wonders about.

Objects with Complements

In some sentences, certain verbs can be followed by an object and then a complement (often an infinitive, participle, or adjective).

The complement adds additional information about the object, often describing the object’s action or state.

Common Structure
Verb + Object + Complement

Object + Infinitive

In this structure, the object is followed by an infinitive (to + verb), which adds detail about what the subject expects, wants, or intends for the object to do.

Examples

They want her to succeed.

“Her” is the direct object, and “to succeed” is the infinitive complement, explaining what they desire for her. This structure implies that “they” hope for “her” success.

The manager advised the team to work harder.

She asked him to stay quiet. 

Object + Participle

In this pattern, the object is followed by a participle (present or past form of a verb), which describes an action related to the object.

Example

I saw him running in the park.

“Him” is the direct object, and “running” is a present participle that describes what “he” was doing when “I saw” him. The participle “running” provides context, showing that the action was ongoing.

We spotted the children playing in the garden.

He heard the rain pouring outside.

Object + Adjective

In this structure, the object is followed by an adjective that describes a quality, state, or condition of the object after the action has occurred.

Example

She painted the room blue.

“The room” is the direct object, and “blue” is an adjective complement describing the outcome of her action. This sentence implies that as a result of “her” painting, “the room” became “blue.”

They left the window open.

The coach kept the players motivated

Types of Objects

In English grammar, objects help complete the action of verbs and clarify relationships in sentences.
Understanding these different types of objects makes it easier to analyze and construct clear, effective sentences. Here are the three main types of objects:

  • Direct Object
  • Indirect Object
  • The object of a Preposition
  • Cognate Object

1- Indirect Object

An indirect object is the noun or pronoun that receives the benefit of the action or is affected by it. It typically comes between the verb and the direct object and answers “to whom?” or “for whom?” the action is done.

Examples

She gave her friend a gift.

Indirect Object: her friend (To whom did she give a gift?)

He told the children a story.

Indirect Object: the children (To whom did he tell the story?)

They bought their mom flowers.

Indirect Object: their mom (For whom did they buy flowers?)

She passed him the salt.

Indirect Object: him (To whom did she pass the salt?)

The manager offered the team a reward.

Indirect Object: the team (To whom was the reward offered?)

Quick Tips

An indirect object only appears when there’s also a direct object. It typically answers “to whom?” or “for whom?” the action is done.

A standalone indirect object without a direct object isn’t typical or possible by conventional grammar rules.

Only transitive verbs can have a direct or indirect object. Intransitive verbs do not take objects and cannot form passive sentences.

 

2- Direct Object

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that directly receives the action of a transitive verb. It answers the questions “what” or “whom” after the verb.

Examples

She ate an apple.

Direct Object: apple (What did she eat?)

They invited him.

Direct Object: him (Whom did they invite?)

I watched the movie.

Direct Object: movie (What did I watch?)

He finished the homework.

Direct Object: homework (What did he finish?)

We found the keys.

Direct Object: keys (What did we find?)

Quick Tips

Direct objects can be people, animals, or things. The important factor is that they receive the action of a transitive verb.

If a verb has no direct object (e.g., She sleeps), it is likely intransitive.

 

3- Object of a Preposition

An object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition (like in, on, at, by, for, with) and completes its meaning. This type of object answers questions such as “where” or “whom” in relation to the preposition.

Examples

She put the book on the table.
Object of Preposition: table (Where did she put the book?)

He walked with his dog.
Object of Preposition: dog (With whom did he walk?)

They talked about the problem.
Object of Preposition: problem (About what did they talk?)

The cat hid under the couch.
Object of Preposition: couch (Under what did the cat hide?)

She glanced at the clock.
Object of Preposition: clock (At what did she glance?)

Quick Tip

Objects of prepositions complete the meaning of prepositional phrases, which clarify location, direction, time, and relationships.

 

4- Cognate Object

A cognate object is a special type of direct object that shares the same linguistic root as the verb. The verb and the object are closely related in meaning, often from the same word family, making the object a natural extension of the verb.

Examples

She sang a song.

Cognate Object: song (The action “sang” and “song” come from the same root.)

He dreamed a dream.

Cognate Object: dream (The action “dreamed” and “dream” share the same meaning root.)

They fought a fight.

Cognate Object: fight (Both the action “fought” and “fight” share the same concept.)

She lived a good life.

Cognate Object: life (The action “lived” and “life” are related in meaning.)

He smiled a warm smile.

Cognate Object: smile (Both “smiled” and “smile” are from the same root.)

Quick Tip

Cognate objects intensify the action of the verb without introducing a new concept, adding. It is used for emphasis.

Leave a comment