Objects

A verb may be followed by an object that completes the verb's meaning. Two kinds of objects follow verbs: direct objects and indirect objects. To determine if a verb has a direct object, isolate the verb and make it into a question by placing "whom?" or "what?" after it. The answer, if there is one, is the direct object:
Direct Object
The advertising executive drove a flashy red Porsche.
Direct Object
Her secret admirer gave her a bouquet of flowers.
The second sentence above also contains an indirect object. An indirect object (which, like a direct object, is always a noun or pronoun) is, in a sense, the recipient of the direct object. To determine if a verb has an indirect object, isolate the verb and ask to whom?, to what?, for whom?, or for what? after it. The answer is the indirect object.
Some verbs can be either transitive verbs or intransitive verbs, depending on the context:
Direct Object
I hope the Senators win the next game.
No Direct Object
Did we win?
Indirect Object:
Indirect objects could not exist without direct objects.
They are totally dependent on the existence of direct objects for their existence.
Here's why: Indirect objects are what receive the direct objects.
Without direct objects to receive, indirect objects have no reason to be.
Here's an example: Suellen gave Thomas the answers to the test.
You will recall, that in our discussion of direct objects, the way to find them is to state the action verb in a question ending with "What".
In the sentence above we have an action verb, "gave", and an answer to the question "Gave what?", "answers".
Therefore we have the direct object, "answers".
Is there anything in the sentence that received the direct object?
You bet, Thomas!
"Thomas" is the Indirect Object.
On the other hand, if you try that sentence without a direct object, you get: Suellen gave Thomas.
Yuck!
The sentence screams out for something Suellen can give to Thomas!
As mentioned, a way to spot a direct object is to say the verb followed by the word "What?" Gave what? The answer to that question is the direct object, "answers".
A way to spot an indirect object is to say the verb and the direct object followed by "to whom/what?"
Gave answers to whom?
The answer is the indirect object "Thomas".
Have any indirect objects in your writing?
If so, jot a couple of sentences here; if not, make up a couple.
Remember, you'll need an action verb, direct object, and someone/something who receives the direct object.
An indirect object precedes the direct object and tells to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done and who is receiving the direct object. There must be a direct object to have an indirect object. Indirect objects are usually found with verbs of giving or communicating like give, bring, tell, show, take, or offer. An indirect object is always a noun or pronoun which is not part of a prepositional phrase.
Example: She gave me the report.
(Who received the report? Me.)
Indirect Object Pronouns: Part I
The indirect object (IO) tells us where the direct object (DO) is going.
He gives the book to María.
DO=Book

Where is the book going?
To María.

IO=María

He gives María the book.
DO=Book

Where is the book going?
To María.

IO=María
The indirect object answers the question "To whom?" or "For whom?" the action of the verb is performed.
He gives María the book.
To whom does he give the book?
To María.

IO=María

He buys me flowers.
For whom does he buy the flowers?
For me.

IO=me
Sentences that have an indirect object usually also have a direct object. Remember, the IO tells us where the DO is going. Notice how the sentences below just wouldn't work without a direct object.
He gives María . . .
the book, the pen, the diamond, etc.

He buys me . . .
flowers, candy, an ironing board, etc.

Sometimes the direct object is not stated; rather it is implied, or understood.
My mother writes me every week.
DO=letter (understood)
IO=me
(My mother writes me a letter every week.)

She told him.
DO=it (understood)
IO=him
(She told it to him.)

To identify the indirect object use our two guidelines:
1. The IO tells us where the DO is going.
The IO answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom" the action of the verb is performed.
In an affirmative statement with one verb, the indirect object pronoun comes immediately before the conjugated verb.
John buys me a gift.
John buys a gift for me.

John buys you a gift.
John buys a gift for you.

John buys her a gift.
John buys a gift for her.

John buys us a gift.
John buys a gift for us.

John buys you-all (familiar) a gift.
John buys a gift for you-all.

John buys them a gift.
John buys a gift for them.
Now, focus in on one part of each of the previous examples:
John buys (for) me a gift.

John buys (for) you a gift.

John buys (for) her a gift.

John buys (for) us a gift.

John buys (for) you-all (familiar) a gift.

John buys (for) them a gift.

Let's extract the IO phrase and its English equivalent:
buys (for) me

buys (for) you

buys (for) her

buys (for) us

buys (for) you-all

buys (for) them
Let's sum up the important points of this lesson:
The indirect object is the noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. Typically, an indirect object precedes the direct object and can be found by asking who or what received the direct object. Identify the subject, find the verb the subject is engaged in, determine if it is an action verb, ask who or what is receiving the action and then ask who or what is receiving that object.
· The IO tells us where the DO is going.
· The IO answers the question "to whom" or "for whom."
· Sentences that have an IO usually also have a DO
· Sometimes the DO is not stated, but rather is implied, or understood.
· Place the pronoun before the conjugated verb.
He gave her the ring.
1. DO=
2. IO=
He sang them a song.
3. DO=
4. IO=
Give the dog a bone.
5. DO=
6. IO=
If you would like, we can give Martha the tickets to tonight's game.
Emil sent his brother a postcard from the hotel.
Did the students give their teacher the assignment?
After class, Randall will give the students their papers.
Can you write the clerk a check for the groceries?