You now know what direct objects are, how to use and identify them; so the next thing you have got to do is learn what indirect objects are and how they can be used. In this article, you will be introduced to the meaning and definition of an indirect object, its usage in a sentence along with examples to help you understand well. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the same.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Indirect Object?
- Usage of an Indirect Object in a Sentence
- Difference between a Direct Object and an Indirect Object
- Examples of Indirect Objects
- Check Your Understanding of Indirect Objects
- Frequently Asked Questions on Indirect Objects in English Grammar
What Is an Indirect Object?
An indirect object, as the name suggests, does not receive the action in the sentence directly. Instead, it is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. It can be identified by asking the question ‘to whom’ or ‘for whom’. It is most commonly used in sentence structures like SVIODO and ASVIODO.
Now that you know what an indirect object means, take a look at the definitions given by various dictionaries for a much better idea of what it is.
Definition of an Indirect Object
An indirect object, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as “a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that occurs in addition to a direct object after some verbs and indicates the person or thing that receives what is being given or done: the person or thing that the action of a verb is performed for or directed to.” The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an indirect object as “a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun in a sentence, used after some verbs, that refers to the person or thing that an action is done to or for.”
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an indirect object is defined as “the person or thing that receives the effect of the action of a verb with two objects”, and the Collins Dictionary defines an indirect object as “an object which is used with a transitive verb to indicate who benefits from an action or gets something as a result.”
Usage of an Indirect Object in a Sentence
An indirect object can be used only in a sentence which has a direct object as it is an object that receives the direct object. There are some things that you have to take care of when you are using indirect objects in a sentence.
Always place the indirect object before a direct object. Sometimes, people get confused with the use of a prepositional phrase used after the direct object as the indirect object. Remember that a prepositional phrase can never be considered as an indirect object.
For example:
-
- Geethu gave Neethu a piece of cake. (Indirect object)
- Geethu gave a piece of cake to Neethu. (Prepositional Phrase)
Both sentences mean the same thing but when positioned in different parts of the sentence, the function of the word or phrase also changes. An indirect object can therefore be placed only in between the verb and the direct object in a sentence. Also, keep in mind that only object pronouns, not subject pronouns, can be used as indirect objects. Object pronouns include me, you, him, her, it, them and us.
Verbs That Can Be Used When Using Indirect Objects
Not all verbs can be used with indirect objects. So, here is a list of some specific verbs that can be used with indirect objects.
- Make
- Give
- Buy
- Bake
- Bring
- Ask
- Get
- Introduce
- Hand
- Teach
- Sing
- Owe
- Promise
- Show
- Pass
- Read
- Sell
- Throw
- Tell
- Loan
Difference between a Direct Object and an Indirect Object
Since you know what a direct object is and the ways in which it can be employed in a sentence, you will definitely not find it difficult to distinguish between a direct object and an indirect object. However, here is a table with the differences between the two for your reference. Take a look.
| Direct Object | Indirect Object |
| A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action done by the subject. | An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object in the sentence. |
A direct object can be used in sentence patterns like,
|
An indirect object can be used in sentence patterns such as,
|
Example:
|
Example:
|
Examples of Indirect Objects
Looking at how they are used in sentences can help you understand better. So, here are a few examples for your reference.
- Usha bought her nephew, Achu, a chain.
- You owe her an apology.
- Can you loan me some money?
- Santana passed Brittany a big box of chocolates.
- My father bought me a new phone.
- Pearle made Srini his favourite dish.
- She asked you a question.
- The little girl asked her mom to read her a story.
- Danny’s uncle promised him a remote car for his birthday.
- I have sent you the instructions for the quiz competition.
Check Your Understanding of Indirect Objects
Identify the indirect object and direct object in the following sentences.
1. The baby gave her mom a kiss.
2. Can you send me the syllabus for the quarterly exams?
3. Madhu loaned Aarathi a sum of ten lakhs.
4. Did you mail Ma’am the required documents?
5. The Science teacher asked the students questions on the recently completed lesson.
6. Divya sent Mikki her share of the money for Netflix.
7. Can you get me the maths textbook?
8. Our music master taught us a new song.
9. The bank manager handed them the documents to be filled.
10. Will you be able to bring Finn a set of clothes?
Now, check if you have identified the direct object and indirect object correctly from the answers given below.
1. The baby gave her mom a kiss.
Indirect Object – Her mom
Direct Object – A kiss
2. Can you send me the syllabus for the quarterly exams?
Indirect Object – Me
Direct Object – The syllabus for the quarterly exams
3. Madhu loaned Aarathi a sum of ten lakhs.
Indirect Object – Aarathi
Direct Object – A sum of ten lakhs
4. Did you mail Ma’am the required documents?
Indirect Object – Ma’am
Direct Object – The required documents
5. The Science teacher asked the students questions on the recently completed lesson.
Indirect Object – The students
Direct Object – Questions on the recently completed lesson
6. Divya sent Mikki her share of the money for Netflix.
Indirect Object – Mikki
Direct Object – Her share of the money for Netflix
7. Can you get me the maths textbook?
Indirect Object – Me
Direct Object – The maths textbook
8. Our music master taught us a new song.
Indirect Object – Us
Direct Object – A new song
9. The bank manager handed them the documents to be filled.
Indirect Object – Them
Direct Object – The documents to be filled
10. Will you be able to bring Finn a set of clothes?
Indirect Object – Finn
Direct Object – A set of clothes
Frequently Asked Questions on Indirect Objects in English Grammar
What is an indirect object?
An indirect object, as the name suggests, does not receive the action in the sentence directly. Instead, it is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. It can be identified by asking the question ‘to whom’ or ‘for whom’.
What is the definition of an indirect object?
An indirect object, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as “a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that occurs in addition to a direct object after some verbs and indicates the person or thing that receives what is being given or done: the person or thing that the action of a verb is performed for or directed to.” The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an indirect object as “a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun in a sentence, used after some verbs, that refers to the person or thing that an action is done to or for.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an indirect object is defined as “the person or thing that receives the effect of the action of a verb with two objects”, and the Collins Dictionary defines an indirect object as “an object which is used with a transitive verb to indicate who benefits from an action or gets something as a result.”
Give some sentence structures in which an indirect object is used.
An indirect object is most commonly used in sentence structures like SVIODO and ASVIODO.
What are the verbs that can be used along with indirect objects?
Here is a list of some specific verbs that can be used with indirect objects.
- Make
- Give
- Buy
- Bake
- Bring
- Ask
- Get
- Introduce
- Hand
- Teach
- Sing
- Owe
- Promise
- Show
- Pass
- Read
- Sell
- Throw
- Tell
- Loan
Give some examples of sentences using indirect objects.
Here are a few examples to show you how to use an indirect object in a sentence.
- The little girl asked her mom to read her a story.
- Danny’s uncle promised him a remote car for his birthday.
- I have sent you the instructions for the quiz competition.
- Can you loan me some money?
- Santana passed Brittany a big box of chocolates.
What is the difference between a direct object and an indirect object?
- The main difference between a direct object and an indirect object is that a direct object receives the action done by the subject, whereas, the indirect object receives the direct object.
- A direct object is placed immediately after the verb and an indirect object is placed in between the verb and the direct object.
- When a direct object is used, there would be only one object in the sentence, whereas a sentence with an indirect object should always have two objects.
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