Direct and indirect objects What Is a Direct Object?
The direct object of a verb is the thing being acted upon (i.e., the receiver of the action).
Examples of Direct Objects. Here are some examples of direct objects:
Play the guitar.
Every actor played his part.
The crowd will cheer the President.
We can climb the hill and fly the kite.
You can find the direct object by finding the verb and asking what? (or whom?). For example: Here are two more examples:She fed the cat.
(Step 1. Find the verb = fed)
(Step 2. Ask What? = the cat)
(Therefore, the direct object is the cat.)
Craig will read the book tomorrow.
(Step 1. Find the verb = will read)
(Step 2. Ask What? = the book)
(Therefore, the direct object is the book.)
Phrases and Clauses Can Be Direct Objects The tip above also works when the direct object is a phrase. For example:Toby loves cooking scones.
(Step 1. Find the verb = loves)
(Step 2. Ask What? = cooking scones)
(Therefore, the direct object is cooking scones.)She thought that the contract had ended.
(Step 1. Find the verb = thought)
(Step 2. Ask What? = that the contract had ended)
(Therefore, the direct object is that the contract had ended.)
The constable described what he saw at the scene.
(Step 1. Find the verb = described)
(Step 2. Ask What? = what he saw at the scene)
(Therefore, the direct object is what he saw at the scene.)
The cat wants to eat our goldfish.
(Step 1. Find the verb = wants)
(Step 2. Ask What? = to eat our goldfish)
(Therefore, the direct object is to eat our goldfish.)
(Note: This direct object has its own verb with its own direct object. (Question: to eat what? Answer: our goldfish.))
Only Transitive Verbs Have Direct Objects When a verb has a direct object, it is called a transitive verb. Some verbs do not have a direct object. They are known as intransitive verbs. For example:Malcolm fell very badly.
(Step 1. Find the verb = fell)
(Step 2. Ask What? = Nothing. You can't fall something.)
(Therefore, there is no direct object. The verb to fall is intransitive.)
Joan is sleeping at the moment.
(Step 1. Find the verb = sleeping)
(Step 2. Ask What? = Nothing. You can't sleep something.)
(Therefore, there is no direct object. The verb to sleep is intransitive.)