Object - Definition, Types and Examples

A sentence in English is constructed with the use of five main components – subject, verb, object, complement, and adjunct. Each one is meant to perform particular functions in the sentence, and the most common sentence structure is SVO. In this article, let us specifically look at what an object is, its definition, types, how to use them in sentences and examples of various sentence structures.

Table of Contents

• What Is an Object? – Meaning and Definition
• Functions of an Object
  • Object of a Verb
  • Object of a Preposition
• Types of Objects
  • Direct Object
  • Indirect Object
• How to Place Objects in a Sentence? – Examples
  • Examples of Direct Objects
  • Examples of Indirect Objects
• Check Your Understanding of Objects in Sentences
• Frequently Asked Questions on Object in English Grammar

What Is an Object? – Meaning and Definition

An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action done by the subject in a sentence. In a basic sentence structure such as SVO, it appears after the verb. The general meaning of an object is a non-living thing that can be touched and seen. Though it refers to the same things, it has a different definition in grammar.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an object as “a noun, noun phrase or pronoun that refers to a person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb (called the direct object), or that the action is done to or for (called the indirect object)”. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an object is a “noun or noun phrase that is affected by the action of a verb or that follows a preposition”.

Functions of an Object

Words that function as objects have two main functions. They function as the object of a verb and the object of a preposition.

Object of a Verb

When it appears after the verb and is the receiver of the particular action, it is the object of a verb. In sentence structures such as SVO, SVIODO, ASVO, SVOC, SVOA and ASVOA, the object functions as the object of the verb.

For example:

• I had a pizza.
• We took a bus to the airport.
• Yesterday, India won the match.

Object of a Preposition

Just like the object of a verb is found after the verb, the object of a preposition is found after the preposition. It is part of a prepositional phrase. Take a look at the following examples.

• Preethi will be going to the market.
• I am meeting my friend at the park.
• Cathy made a cake for me.

Types of Objects

Objects can be classified into two main categories. They are

• Direct object
• Indirect object

Direct Object

A direct object is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase that receives the action done by the subject. It can be identified by asking the question ‘what’. For example, I bought a phone. The noun ‘phone’ is the direct object in this sentence.

Direct objects are mostly found immediately after the verb in most cases. There are also sentence structures where the direct object appears after a complement or an adjunct. Some of the most common sentence structures containing direct objects are SVO, SVOC, SVOA, SVCO and SVAO.

Indirect Object

An indirect object is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase that receives what is done or given. In other words, an indirect object is one that the action is directed to or performed for. To identify an indirect object, you can ask the question ‘for whom’ and ‘to whom’.

Let us look at an example.

Jerry gave Tom a birthday present.

In this sentence, ‘a birthday present’ is the direct object and ‘Tom’ is the indirect object that receives the direct object. SVIODO, ASVIODO and SVIODOA are some of the common sentence patterns that contain an indirect object.

How to Place Objects in a Sentence? – Examples

Take a look at the following examples to understand how objects are placed in sentences.

Examples of Direct Objects

• Olivia had bread and butter for breakfast.
• Brinda came home yesterday.
• Madhav likes chocolates.
• We bought some roses for the floral arrangement.
• There is a big house on the parallel street.

Examples of Indirect Objects

• Nathan bought his sister a new watch.
• Rani’s mother read her a story before she went to bed.
• Rachel taught us a song.
• I wanted to get my dad a smartwatch.
• Juan asked Nina a question.

Check Your Understanding of Objects in Sentences

Identify the objects in the following sentences and also state if they are direct or indirect objects.

1. Praveen has a Royal Enfield.

2. Trisha wished her sister on her birthday.

3. Tarun and Sanjay bought Prithvi a bicycle.

4. Nilani called me yesterday evening.

5. Aarushi visited Piazza Plebiscito, Vestibolo Maiolicato and Castle Sant’Elmo in Naples.

6. Inba plays cricket.

7. Shanti opened the door for us.

8. His mom gave him some pocket money for the trip.

9. Karan asked Renjith and Samar to help him with the sofa.

10. I have read Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s ‘Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life’.

Check if you have identified the objects correctly from the answers given below.

1. Praveen has a Royal Enfield.

A Royal Enfield – Direct object

2. Trisha wished her sister on her birthday.

Her sister – Indirect object

3. Tarun and Sanjay bought Prithvi a bicycle.

Prithvi – Indirect object, A bicycle – Direct object

4. Nilani called me yesterday evening.

Me – Direct object

5. Aarushi visited Piazza Plebiscito, Vestibolo Maiolicato and Castle Sant’Elmo in Naples.

Piazza Plebiscito, Vestibolo Maiolicato and Castle Sant’Elmo in Naples – Direct object

6. Inba plays cricket.

Cricket – Direct object

7. Shanti opened the door for us.

The door – Direct object

8. His mom gave him some pocket money for the trip.

Some pocket money – Direct object

9. Karan asked Renjith and Samar to help him with the sofa.

Renjith and Samar – Indirect object

10. I have read Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s ‘Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life’.

Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s ‘Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life’ – Direct object