LoginDirect Objects
In this lesson, master direct objects, which are essential parts of a sentence that receive the action of a verb. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
What Are Direct Objects?
'pronouns', ' 'noun phrases' and noun clauses can act as the direct object of the verb which means the action of the verb is performed upon them. The 'direct' object directly receives the action of the verb.
Direct Objects: Form
As already mentioned, the direct object might be a pronoun, noun phrase or noun clause.
Pronouns as Direct Objects
'Pronouns' are used to avoid repeating the nouns in the sentence. Some pronouns are exclusively used as objects. These include object pronouns, reflexive pronouns, and reciprocal pronouns ("each other" and "one another"). Some other groups of pronouns, such as demonstrative pronouns and indefinite pronouns can serve as objects as well as subjects. Here are the English object and reflexive pronouns which are the most common pronouns used as objects:
Subject pronouns | Object pronouns | Reflexive pronouns | |
|---|---|---|---|
First Person Singular | myself | ||
Second Person Singular | you | yourself | |
Third Person Singular (M) | himself | ||
Third Person Singular (F) | herself | ||
Third Person Singular (N) | it | itself | |
First Person Plural | ourselves | ||
Second Person Plural | yourselves | ||
Third Person Plural | themselves |
I saw her at the library.
she looked at herself in the mirror.
Reflexive pronouns are used with the subject and the object are the same person or thing.
Noun Phrases as Direct Objects
A noun phrase might include a single noun or a noun with one or more modifiers. Any type of noun, whether it is proper or common, singular or plural, and countable or uncountable, can be used as the object of the sentence. Check out the examples.
My mother saw Alex in the central park.
a proper noun without any modifiers
The little girl drank the apple juice by herself.
a noun phrase with a definite article and a noun modifier
Noun Clauses as Direct Objects
Any clause that acts as a noun can function as direct object of the sentence. These clauses include that-clause, nominal relative clauses, present participles, and infinitives. Look at the examples:
They said that the meeting was canceled.
a that-clause functioning as object of the verb "say"
We forgot where we parked the car.
a nominal relative clause functioning as object
We hope to finish the project soon.
an infinitive clause functioning as obejct
Identifying the Direct Objects
A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of the verb. One way to identify the direct object is to look for the answer to the question **who, whom, or what is being acted upon. For example:
She enjoys reading books. ("What does she enjoy?" "Reading books")
We started a new project. ("What did you start?" "A new project.")
Active and Passive Voice
Another way to identify the direct object is to look for the subject of the sentence in the passive voice. 'Direct objects' act as the 'object' of the verb in the active voice and as the 'subject' of the verb in the passive voice.
You must complete the form. → The form must be completed by you.
Tip!
Remember, if the direct object of a verb is a pronoun, it must be changed to a subject pronoun before it can serve as the subject of a passive sentence.
I heard him. → He was heard.
Objects with Phrasal Verbs
A phrasal verb is a combination of a main verb and a particle, which can be a preposition or an adverb. Direct objects can be used in various positions with phrasal verbs:
A noun phrase or a noun acting as an object can come between the two parts of the phrasal verb or after the phrasal verb.
A pronoun acting as object can only come between the two parts of the phrasal verb and it can never be used after the phrasal verb.
Add them up, please. → (Not 'Add up them, please.')
Add the numbers up, please. → (Also 'Add up the numbers, please.')
Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
Not all phrasal verbs can be separated; meaning that some phrasal verbs cannot have their particle separated from the main verb by an object. Consequently, object pronouns cannot be used with these phrasal verbs. For example:
I came across an old photo album while cleaning out the attic.
We can't say 'I came it across while cleaning out the attic' or 'I came across it while cleaning out the attic'.
The dog ran and got in the car.
Not 'The dog ran and got in it'.
Direct Object vs. Indirect Object
The direct object directly receives the action of the verb, while an indirect object is indirectly affected by the action of the verb. Transitive verbs only take a direct object while ditransitive verbs take both direct and indirect object. In sentences with ditransitive verbs, the direct object comes after the indirect object.
She bought a book.
a direct object with a transitive verb
They offered me a job.
a direct (a job) and an indirect (me) object with a ditransitive verb
Review
The direct object directly receives the action of the verb. Here are the possible direct objects:
pronouns
noun phrases
noun clauses
Quiz:
What type of direct object is used in this sentence? "The child hurt himself while riding his bike."
Object pronoun
Reflexive pronoun
Noun phrase
Noun clause
Rearrange the words to create a complete sentence.
Match each sentence to the correct type of direct object.
Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending based on the structure of the phrasal verbs.
Identify the object of each sentence.
At the annual art fair, Carlos presented a handcrafted sculpture. →
After the lecture, Maria thanked them for their thoughtful questions. →
Kevin admitted that he misunderstood the instructions. →
Before departing, please fill this form out . →
While cleaning the attic, Oliver came across a stack of rare books. →
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