Indirect Object

by | Sep 6, 2024 | Syntax

What are Indirect Objects in English Grammar?

Indirect objects can be a bit tricky to understand, but once you do, they can greatly improve your grasp of sentence structure.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into what indirect objects are, how to identify them, and why they’re important in everyday communication. We’ll also explore the difference between direct and indirect objects, common verbs used with indirect objects, and provide some exercises to practice. Ready to master indirect objects? Let’s get started!

Definition of Indirect Objects
An indirect object in English grammar is the recipient of the action, telling us to whom or for whom something is done. For example, in the sentence, “She gave her friend a gift,” the indirect object is “her friend” because the gift is being given to the friend. Understanding indirect objects helps us make our sentences more informative and detailed by showing who benefits from the action.

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Importance in Sentence Structure
Indirect objects add another layer to your sentences by specifying who is receiving the action. Without them, the sentence might still make sense, but it would be incomplete or vague. For instance, “She gave a gift” leaves us wondering who the gift was for. Adding an indirect object completes the picture.

Common Misunderstandings
One of the common misconceptions about indirect objects is confusing them with prepositional phrases. For example, in “She gave the gift to her friend,” “to her friend” is not an indirect object but a prepositional phrase. We’ll delve into these nuances later in the article to clarify how to distinguish between the two.

Direct Objects vs. Indirect Objects

Direct Objects Overview
A quick refresher: a direct object is the person, thing, or idea that receives the action of the verb directly. In the sentence “He threw the ball,” the direct object is “the ball” because it’s what was thrown.

Difference Between Direct and Indirect Objects
While direct objects answer the question “What?” or “Whom?”, indirect objects answer “To whom?” or “For whom?” Consider the sentence: “She wrote her mom a letter.”

Direct object: “a letter” (What did she write?)

Indirect object: “her mom” (For whom did she write the letter?)

Example Sentences
Direct object: “He gave the presentation.”
Indirect object: “He gave her the presentation.”

These distinctions are crucial for constructing clear and precise sentences.

Identifying Indirect Objects in a Sentence

Word Order
In English, the indirect object usually comes before the direct object when no preposition is used. For instance, in “He told her a story,” “her” is the indirect object (the person receiving the story) and “story” is the direct object (the thing being told). The structure follows this pattern:
Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

Structure of Sentences with Indirect Objects
Let’s look at a few more examples:

“She offered him a drink.” (Indirect object: “him”; Direct object: “a drink”)

“I showed them the pictures.” (Indirect object: “them”; Direct object: “the pictures”)
Here, the indirect object directly follows the verb without a preposition.

Alternative Structure with Prepositions
Sometimes, the indirect object is expressed with a preposition, typically using “to” or “for.” In these cases, the word order changes:

“I sent a letter to her.”

“She bought a gift for me.”
Notice how adding “to” or “for” shifts the indirect object behind the direct object.

When and Why to Use Indirect Objects

Clarity in Communication
Using indirect objects provides clarity by explicitly identifying who is involved in the action. For example, in the sentence “She made him dinner,” the indirect object “him” tells us who benefited from the dinner being made. Without this indirect object, the sentence would feel incomplete.

Examples in Common Usage
We use indirect objects frequently in both written and spoken English. Consider these everyday examples:

“She sent her friend a postcard.”

“I told the class a story.”
In both cases, the indirect objects (“her friend” and “the class”) clarify who is receiving the action.

Verbs Commonly Used with Indirect Objects

List of Verbs
Certain verbs are commonly followed by indirect objects. These verbs often imply giving, telling, or showing something to someone. Here are a few examples:

Give: “I gave him a book.”

Send: “She sent them an invitation.”

Show: “He showed her the way.”

Tell: “They told us the news.”

Teach: “She taught me English.”
Using these verbs naturally leads to sentences with both direct and indirect objects.

Example Sentences for Each Verb

“I offered him a ride.”

“He passed her the ball.”

“They lent us their tools.”
Verbs like “offer,” “pass,” and “lend” frequently take both direct and indirect objects to create more specific and meaningful sentences.

Indirect Object Pronouns

Introduction to Object Pronouns
Indirect objects are often pronouns like “me,” “you,” “him,” “her,” “us,” and “them.” These pronouns make sentences more concise and fluid. For instance, “She gave her the keys” can be shortened to “She gave her them.”

Example Sentences

“He gave me a gift.”

“She handed us the tickets.”
Using pronouns in place of noun phrases is a common and natural way to simplify sentences.

Indirect Objects in Passive Voice

Introduction to Passive Voice
In passive voice, indirect objects can become more prominent. The focus of the sentence shifts from the subject to the object receiving the action.

Active voice: “She told him the secret.”

Passive voice: “The secret was told to him.”
In this case, “him” (the indirect object) appears as part of a prepositional phrase, but its function remains the same.

Shifting Focus
Passive voice often places emphasis on the action or the object receiving the action. This structure is useful when the doer of the action is less important or implied.

Common Errors with Indirect Objects

Prepositional Phrases Confusion
Many learners mistakenly use a prepositional phrase in place of an indirect object where none is needed. For instance, “I gave to her the book” is incorrect. The correct form is “I gave her the book.” The preposition “to” is unnecessary because the indirect object already follows the verb directly.

Word Order Errors
Another common mistake is misplacing the indirect object after the direct object without using a preposition. For example, “He offered a job me” is incorrect. The correct structure would be “He offered me a job” or “He offered a job to me.”

Practice Exercises

Identifying Indirect Objects
Let’s practice identifying indirect objects. In the following sentences, identify the indirect object:

“She wrote him a letter.”

“He told us a funny story.”

“I made my friend dinner.”
(Answers: 1. him, 2. us, 3. my friend)

Sentence Creation
Now, try writing your own sentences using the verbs “give,” “show,” or “send” with both a direct and indirect object. Remember to place the indirect object before the direct object unless you use a preposition.

Conclusion

Recap of Key Points
In English, an indirect object tells us to whom or for whom something is done. It usually appears before the direct object and helps to clarify who is receiving the action of the verb. By understanding the difference between direct and indirect objects, you can make your sentences more specific and informative.

Encouragement for Practice
Mastering indirect objects will elevate your writing and speaking. Keep practicing by identifying and using them in your sentences—it’s a small but powerful way to enhance your command of English grammar!

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