Is it a direct object or an indirect object?
key notes :
| What is a Direct Object (DO)? |
- A direct object receives the action of the verb directly.
- It answers the questions: “What?” or “Whom?” after the action verb.
- Usually a noun or pronoun.
Example:
- She 🎨 painted a picture.
- Verb: painted
- Direct Object (DO): a picture → What did she paint?
| What is an Indirect Object (IO)? |
- An indirect object tells to whom, for whom, or for what the action is done.
- It comes before the direct object.
- Usually a noun or pronoun.
Example:
- She gave 🎁 her friend a gift.
- Verb: gave
- Direct Object (DO): a gift → What was given?
- Indirect Object (IO): her friend → To whom was it given?
| How to Identify DO and IO |
- Find the verb in the sentence.
- Ask “what?” or “whom?” → Answer = Direct Object ✅
- Ask “to/for whom?” or “for what?” → Answer = Indirect Object 🎯
Example:
- Raju 📚 told his teacher a story.
- Verb: told
- DO: a story (What did he tell?)
- IO: his teacher (To whom did he tell it?)
| Quick Tips |
- Every IO has a DO, but not every DO has an IO.
- IO often comes before the DO in the sentence.
- DO = the thing acted upon, IO = the person or thing benefiting.
| Fun Emoji Examples |
- Maya 🍎 gave her brother an apple.
- DO = an apple 🍏
- IO = her brother 👦
- Teacher ✏️ sent the students homework.
- DO = homework 📄
- IO = the students 👩🎓👨🎓
- Mom 🥘 made me breakfast.
- DO = breakfast 🍳
- IO = me 🙋
let’s practice!
