
How to Find a Direct Object
- Consider the purpose of the direct object.
- Find the subject of the sentence.
- Look for the direct object in sentences with "transitive" action verbs.
- Keep in mind that there can be more than one direct object.
- Recognize that some sentences will not have a direct object.
What verb do you use to find a direct object?
Jul 28, 2021 · In English grammar, a direct object is a word or phrase that receives the action of the verb. In the sentence The students eat cake, the direct object is cake; the word eat is the …
How do you determine the direct object in a sentence?
How to Find the Direct Object of a Sentence 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. …
How can you find the direction of a moving object?
The direct object can appear in positive sentences, negative sentences, question sentences and imperative sentences. Here are some examples showing the direct object in different types of …
How to find the indirect object of a sentence?
A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. Example: The car hit the tree. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. The car hit whom or …

What is a direct object and how do you find it?
How do you find the direct and indirect object?
- An object is the part of a sentence that gives meaning to the subject's action of the verb. For example: Alice caught the baseball. ...
- A direct object answers the question of who(m) or what. ...
- An indirect object answers the question of to whom, for whom, or for what.
How do you find the direct object in a question?
How do you find the indirect object?
What is a direct indirect object?
What is an example of something that is direct?
How do you do as direct?
- I disliked the idea of making Omelette. ...
- Mother was not at home. ...
- As soon as Dave had begun his second year when he heard himself hopelessly swamped. [ ...
- Don't lose faith. [ ...
- I used to spend hours under it. [ ...
- He was treated with respect. [ ...
- I have tried getting you into the kitchen. [
How do you find the object in a sentence examples?
Can a direct object be two words?
What is direct and indirect object examples?
What is indirect object example?
What is direct object and indirect object and examples?
What is a direct object?
A direct object is a noun that receives the action of the verb. Don’t get the direct object confused with the subject—the noun that performs the actions—or the verb itself.
Transitive vs. intransitive verbs
Not all verbs use a direct object. Some verbs, like laugh and sit, can’t use direct objects because it doesn’t make sense—you can’t laugh something or sit someone; that’s gibberish.
Direct object phrases and clauses
Direct objects aren’t always just one word; sometimes they are entire phrases or even clauses. These phrases always act collectively as nouns, so aside from standard noun phrases, they’re often relative clauses (clauses that begin with a relative pronoun like “what”) or gerund phrases (noun phrases that start with gerunds).
Direct object pronouns
English uses two different pronouns to refer to the same person, depending on whether the pronoun is used as a subject or an object. For example, if you were talking about yourself as the subject of a sentence, you would use I, but if you were talking about yourself as the object, you would use me.
Direct objects vs. indirect objects
One of the most confusing topics in English is understanding the difference between direct objects vs. indirect objects. While direct objects answer the questions “what?” or “whom?” about the action of the verb, indirect objects answer questions like “to whom?” or “for what?”
Direct objects and linking verbs
One last rule about direct objects involves linking verbs like be, seem, and feel. Linking verbs seem to use direct objects, but the word following the linking verb is really called a complement, which is something a little different. A complement is often an adjective, but when it’s a noun, it’s easy to confuse it for a direct object.
Direct object examples
Let’s look at some direct object examples from literature and pop culture, so you can see how they work. The direct objects are underlined.
What is the direct object of a verb?
The direct object of a verb is the thing being acted upon (i.e., the receiver of the action).
Can a phrase be a direct object?
Phrases and Clauses Can Be Direct Objects. The tip above also works when the direct object is a phrase or a clause. For example: Toby loves cooking scones. (Step 1. Find the verb = loves) (Step 2.
Do direct objects cause mistakes?
In general, direct objects do not cause native English speakers to make mistakes because native English speakers are great at changing subjective-case pronouns (e.g., I, he, she) to objective-case ones (e.g., me, him, her ), even if they've never heard those terms.
What is the direct object in a sentence?
In the above sentence, the action or verb is "kicked". The subject (He) performed the action (kicked). And the object (the ball) received the action. Strictly speaking, "the ball" is the direct object, and the direct object directly received ...
What are some examples of direct objects?
The direct object can appear in positive sentences, negative sentences, question sentences and imperative sentences. Here are some examples showing the direct object in different types of sentence: James Bond changed his clothes and phoned Mother. The gardener cut the grass and trimmed the hedge.
Can a direct object be a noun?
As indicated above, a direct object doesn't have to be a single noun or pronoun. It can also be a complete noun phrase, a phrase or a clause. Look at these examples:
Can a transitive verb have a direct object?
We use Direct Object with transitive verbs only. We DO NOT use direct objects with all verbs. Only a transitive verb can have a direct object. With a transitive verb the action "transits" from the subject through the verb to the direct object (He kicked the ball).
What is direct object?
What is a Direct Object? A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the sentence. The direct object answers “whom?” or “what?” in regards to the verb.
Is a direct object a noun?
The direct object in a sentence is always a noun. Although, it may be a form of a noun such as a prono un, noun clause, or noun phrase. However, a direct object will always function as a noun. A direct object also always follows a transitive verb.
What is the direct object of a sentence?
What is the direct object? Coffee is the direct object. The direct object in a sentence is always a noun. Although, it may be a form of a noun such as a pronoun, noun clause, or noun phrase. However, a direct object will always function as a noun. A direct object also always follows a transitive verb.
Is coffee a direct object?
Coffee is the direct object. The direct object in a sentence is always a noun. Although, it may be a form of a noun such as a pronoun, noun clause, or noun phrase. However, a direct object will always function as a noun. A direct object also always follows a transitive verb.
Can a direct object follow a transitive verb?
That is, a direct object will only follow a transitive verb. Intransitive verbs do not take objects, so they will never have direct objects. See more on intransitive verbs here. Simply by following the formula above, one can test whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.
Can a subject pronoun be a direct object?
Subject pronouns cannot be direct objects. Only object pronouns can be direct objects. A subject pronoun (see list below) must be used as a subject. A subject pronoun will always complete the action in the sentence. An object pronoun (see list below) must be used as a direct object.
Why aren't direct objects subject complements?
Since the words follow linking verbs, they are subject complements. Here’s why they aren’t direct objects: Direct objects receive the action of the sentence. Another way to think about this is that the direct object of a verb is the thing that is being acted up.
What is the direct object in a sentence?
In a sentence, the direct object is the noun or noun phrase that’s receiving the action of the verb. The basic construction works like this: Subject + Verb + Who or What.
Can transitive verbs be followed by direct objects?
Transitive verbs, however, can only be followed by direct objects, as they need to act upon something or someone. They’re a match made in heaven and they don’t like to part. The direct object can be a singular noun or noun phrase (a group of words that act as a noun together).
Do linking verbs show action?
If you ever see a linking verb, your spidey senses should make you aware that you are no longer dealing with a direct object. Linking verbs don’t show any action. Rather, their sole job is to link the subject of the sentence to further information.
How to recognize a direct object?
Recognize a direct object when you find one . A direct object will follow a transitive verb (a type of action verb ). Direct objects can be nouns, pronouns , phrases, or clauses. If you can identify the subject and the verb in a sentence, then finding the direct object— if one exists —is easy. Just remember this simple formula:
What is a direct object?
A direct object will follow a transitive verb (a type of action verb ). Direct objects can be nouns, pronouns , phrases, or clauses. If you can identify the subject and the verb in a sentence, then finding the direct object— if one exists —is easy.
