This lesson is about objects of a sentence. We’ll learn how to identify objects, including direct and indirect objects. Jump right in to find quick tricks for identifying these parts of speech and get some practice doing so.
Basic Sentence Review
Before we introduce objects of a sentence, let’s do a quick review of the basic parts of a sentence.
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All sentences need a subject and a verb. A subject is the person, place, thing or idea that the sentence is about; it is what performs the action. The verb is the action that is being performed by the subject; it explains what the subject is doing. Let’s look at an example:Sarah ate.In this sentence, ‘Sarah’ is the subject – she is the one that the sentence is about and is the one performing the action, and the word ‘ate’ is the verb – it is the action being performed by the subject.
This is a complete sentence.So, let’s change our sentence just a little bit to:Sarah ate cake.This is also a complete sentence. So, what part of speech is the word ‘cake?’
What Is the Object of a Sentence?
The object of a sentence is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb.
It is the who or what that the subject does something to. That sounds complicated, but we’ll understand it more after we practice.Terry carried out the trash.In this sentence:
- ‘Terry’ is the subject: it is the one performing the action and the one the sentence is about
- ‘carried’ is the verb: it is the action being performed by the subject
- ‘trash’ is the object: it is ‘what’ is being carried and it is ‘what’ the subject is doing something to
Let’s look at another one:They played the drums.In this sentence:
- ‘They’ is the subject: the one performing the action and the one the sentence is about
- ‘played’ is the verb: it is the action being performed by the subject
- ‘drums’ is the object: it is ‘what’ is being played and it is ‘what’ the subject is doing something to
Object Type: Direct
There are two types of objects: direct and indirect.
A direct object answers the question ‘what’ or ‘whom.’ Finding the direct object is simple once we identify the subject and verb in a sentence.We can use this trick:Subject + Verb + ‘what’ or ‘whom’ = Direct ObjectLet’s try it out:David built a ramp on the sidewalk.
- ‘David’ is the subject
- ‘built’ is the verb
Using our trick we now say: David (subject) + built (verb) + ‘whom’ or ‘what’
- ‘ramp’ is the direct object – it is receiving the action of the verb; it is ‘what’ is being built
Let’s look at another:Kelly brought my cousins to the game.
- ‘Kelly’ is the subject
- ‘brought’ is the verb
Now we have to locate ‘whom’ or ‘what’ did Kelly bring:
- ‘cousins’ is the direct object – they are ‘what’ is being brought to the game
Object Type: Indirect
Indirect objects are rare. An indirect object answers the question ‘to whom,’ ‘for whom,’ ‘to what,’ or ‘for what.
‘There are two very important rules for indirect objects:
- We cannot have an indirect object without a direct object.
- The indirect object will always come before the direct object in the sentence.
Let’s try finding indirect objects:Gloria bought her son an ice cream.
- ‘Gloria’ is the subject
- ‘bought’ is the verb
Now, let’s locate ‘whom’ or ‘what’ did Gloria buy:
- ‘ice cream’ is the direct object – it’s what Gloria bought
Now, let’s ask ‘for whom’ or ‘for what’ did Gloria buy the ice cream:
- ‘her son’ is the indirect object – he is ‘for whom’ Gloria bought the ice cream
Let’s do another example:Rick gave Cassie the keys to her new car.
- ‘Rick’ is the subject
- ‘gave’ is the verb
Now, let’s locate ‘whom’ or ‘what’ did Rick give:
- ‘keys’ is the direct object – they are ‘what’ Rick gave
Now, let’s ask ‘to whom’ or ‘to what’ did Rick give the keys:
- ‘Cassie’ is the indirect object – she is ‘to whom’ the keys were given
Lesson Summary
An object of a sentence is the receiver of the action. A direct object is ‘whom’ or ‘what’ the action is being directly done to. An indirect object is the noun ‘for whom,’ ‘to whom,’ ‘for what,’ or ‘to what’ the action is being performed.
