Indirect Object

An action verb may have two kinds of objects: (1) A direct object receives the action directly. (2) An indirect object receives the action indirectly. It tells to whom or for whom the action was done.

In the sentences below, we have starred the direct objects and placed parentheses around the indirect objects. The subject of the sentence is in italics.

  • Duke gave (us) a *concert.
  • Did you leave (him) a *key?
  • Please toss (her) the *ball.
  • Bob bought (Christie) *flowers.
  • Jane's sisters built (her) a tree *house.
  • The skipper threw (Barbara) the *rope.
  • M. E. Bradford gives (us) the *background information.
  • The British charged (the colonists) unfair *taxes.
  • This taxation caused (them) great *resentment.
  • Did the colonists give (the British) a *tea party?

In order to have an indirect object, a sentence must have a direct object. The indirect object (I. O.) usually follows the verb and precedes the direct object. One test of an I. O. is that it can be expressed alternately by a prepositional phrase introduced by to or for:

  • Jen sent an e-mail to Gus.
  • Duke gave a concert for us.
  • Did you leave a key for him?
  • Please toss the ball to her.
  • Bob bought flowers for Christie.
  • Jane's sisters built a tree house for her.
  • The skipper threw the rope to Barbara.
  • M. E. Bradford gives to us the background information.
  • The British charged to the colonists unfair taxes.
  • This taxation caused for them great resentment.
  • Did the colonists give to the British a tea party?

The I. O. can be compound:

  • I gave (Jen) and (him) the *volleyball.
  • The horrible performance caused (the actors) and (the audience) *grief.

Examples

Identify the indirect objects (I. O.) if any, in each sentence.

  1. Gus ordered his friend a vanilla shake.
  2. Each year the teacher gives his class a lecture on insects.
  3. Jen tossed the volleyball.
  4. A caring young man found the stray cat a home.
  5. The professor told the audience his views on recent discoveries.
  6. These hard workers swept the stadium.
  7. The response of the British government left the colonists no choice but to fight.
  8. The American Revolution continued for eight years.
  9. The Declaration of Independence gave the colonies freedom from British rule.

Solutions

  1. Gus ordered a vanilla shake for his friend. Therefore, friend is the I. O.
  2. The teacher gives a lecture to his class. Therefore, class is the I. O.
  3. This sentence has no I. O.
  4. The man found a home for the cat. Therefore, cat is the I. O.
  5. The professor told his views to the audience. Therefore, audience is the I. O.
  6. This sentence has no I. O.
  7. The response of the British government left to the colonists no choice but to fight. Therefore, colonists is the I. O.
  8. This sentence has no I. O.
  9. The Declaration of Independence gave to the colonies freedom from British rule. Therefore, colonies is the I. O.