Direct Objects for intermediate learners

direct objects object pronouns objects phrasal verbs transitive verbs

Generally, an object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that usually comes after the verb. In this article we will talk about the direct objects.

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What Are Direct Objects?

In grammar, a direct object is a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun, that directly receives the action of the transitive verb in a sentence.

Transitive Verbs and Direct Objects

Some verbs are transitive which means they need an object to form a complete sentence. This type of verb can take more than one direct object. Take a look at the following examples:

When will you discuss the book?

Here, if you remove 'the book', the sentence will remain incomplete.

I can only donate ten dollars.

Now let us analyze how nouns, noun phrases and pronouns can function as direct objects.

Nouns as Direct Objects

Some English verbs require a noun as their object. In such cases, any noun -whether proper or common, countable or uncountable, and singular or plural- can function as the object. Let us study the following examples carefully:

Johnny talked to a cat on the street yesterday.

Here, 'cat' is used as the object and it is a common noun.

I saw Peggy on my way to school.

Here, 'Peggy' is the object and it is a proper noun.

Noun Phrases as Objects

A noun phrase is a group of words that includes a noun and any words that modify it, such as adjectives or determiners. Noun phrases can function as objects* in a sentence. Take a look at the examples below:

Yesterday, I read an article on 'The Revolt of the Angles'.

She corrected all the grammatical mistakes.

Pronouns as Direct Objects

As you know, pronouns are substitutes for nouns that are used to avoid repetition. First, let us go over object pronouns:

	Subject Pronouns	Object Pronouns
First Person Singular	I	Me
Second Person Singular	You	You
Third Person Singular (M)	He	Him
Third Person Singular (F)	She	Her
Third Person Singular (N)	It	It
First Person Plural	We	Us
Second Person Plural	You	You
Third Person Plural	They	Them

Now, let us take a look at some examples below:

Give it to Anne.

As you can see, 'give' needs two objects in order to be complete.

Would you please tell us the story.

Finding Direct Objects

In order to find the direct objects in a sentence, you can try using question words such as 'what', 'who', and 'whom'. Take a look at the following examples:

I told mother the good news. (What did I tell mother?)

They saw Alexa on the way. (Who did they see on the way?)

Tip!

Keep in mind that gerunds can function as objects too. Take a look at the following examples:

I love dancing ballet in front an audience.

Does she enjoy playing poker with her grandfather?

Subjects

In English grammar, the subject of a clause is the noun referring to the person or thing that is doing the action of the verb. We will learn all about it here.

Objects

Simply put, an object is a noun or pronoun representing the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. Here, we'll explain more.

Indirect Objects

As you know, there are three different groups of objects in English. This article is about indirect objects and their functions.

Objects of Prepositions

Objects of prepositions are used when we know there must be an object after the prepositions.

Adjuncts

'Adjunct' is a word from the Latin that means 'join'. They are any elements in the structure of a clause that is not part of its core. Let's learn about them!

Complements

In grammar, complements are words, phrases, or clauses that are essential to complete the meaning of a given expression. Here, we will study them thoroughly!

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