Indirect Objects: The In-Between Helpers
What are objects?
In a sentence, an object is the person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. Remember, the direct object is the thing that directly receives the action.
What is an indirect object?
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that tells us to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done. Think of it as the middleman – the person or thing the action passes through before reaching the direct object.
Examples:
- She gave her brother a book. (Who received the book? Her brother.)
- The teacher assigned the students a project. (Who received the project? The students.)
- I baked my mom a cake. (Who received the cake? My mom.)
Finding the Indirect Object
- Identify the verb: Find the action word in the sentence.
- Identify the direct object: Ask “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
- Ask “to whom?” or “for whom?” after the verb and direct object: The answer is the indirect object.
Let’s Practice!
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Underline the Indirect Object:
- I sent my friend a postcard.
- He bought his daughter a new doll.
- We told the teacher the answer.
- She cooked her family a delicious dinner.
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Complete the Sentence: Fill in the blank with an appropriate indirect object.
- I gave _____ a hug.
- She wrote _____ a letter.
- The waiter brought _____ the menu.
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Make Your Own Sentences: Write three sentences using indirect objects.
Challenge!
- Write a short story about a party. Use indirect objects to describe who gave gifts to whom.
Remember:
- Indirect objects only appear in sentences with direct objects.
- The indirect object usually comes before the direct object.
- Indirect objects help us add more detail to our sentences and show who is involved in the action.
