Indirect object meaning

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.


Indirect object definitions

Word backwards tceridni tcejbo
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division in-di-rect ob-ject
Plural The plural of the word "indirect object" is "indirect objects."
Total letters 14
Vogais (3) i,e,o
Consonants (7) n,d,r,c,t,b,j

An indirect object is a grammatical element that indicates the recipient of the action in a sentence. It is usually the person or thing that receives the direct object or benefits from the action. In English, the indirect object is often preceded by the prepositions "to" or "for" to show the relationship between the elements in the sentence.

Role of the Indirect Object

The indirect object serves to answer the question "to whom" or "for whom" the action is performed. It adds more detail to the sentence by specifying who benefits from or is affected by the action. Without the indirect object, the sentence may lack clarity or context, making it essential for conveying the intended meaning.

Placement of the Indirect Object

In English, the indirect object usually comes before the direct object in a sentence. For example, in the sentence "She gave him a book," "him" is the indirect object, and "a book" is the direct object. The indirect object can sometimes be identified by moving the direct object to a new position following the preposition "to" or "for."

Recognizing Indirect Objects

To identify the indirect object in a sentence, ask yourself who or what is receiving the direct object or for whom the action is intended. Look for the presence of prepositions like "to" or "for" that indicate the indirect object. In some cases, the indirect object may be implied rather than explicitly stated, making it necessary to analyze the context of the sentence.

In conclusion, understanding the role and placement of the indirect object is essential for constructing clear and meaningful sentences. By recognizing the recipient or beneficiary of the action, the indirect object provides important information that enriches the overall communication. Practice identifying indirect objects in sentences to improve your grammar skills and enhance your writing.


Indirect object Examples

  1. She gave him a book for his birthday.
  2. The teacher assigned us a project to work on together.
  3. John bought his wife flowers as a surprise.
  4. The company sent its employees a memo about the upcoming changes.
  5. The restaurant served them the special of the day.
  6. I made my mom a birthday card from scratch.
  7. The doctor prescribed me a new medication for my illness.
  8. The charity organization donated the community blankets during the winter.
  9. The boss promised his team a bonus if they met their targets.
  10. The tour guide showed the tourists the famous landmarks of the city.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 06/04/2024 - 18:20:03