For example:

• He wrote the book.
  * "book" is the object, created by the action of writing.
• I saw the film.
  * "film" is the object, sensed by the subject seeing it.

Complex Objects
Like subjects, objects can be complex, consisting of the simple object and all the words which modify it.

For example:

• I finally bought the dress I had tried on at least thirty times.
  * Simple object - dress
  * Complex object - the dress I had tried on at least thirty times
• He chose the mangy puppy shivering over in the corner of the cage.
  * Simple object - puppy
  * Complex object - the mangy puppy shivering over in the corner of the cage.

Not all verbs are followed by objects.

For example:

• The guest speaker rose from her chair to protest.
• After work, Randy usually jogs around the canal.

Types of object
Two kinds of objects follow verbs: direct objects and indirect objects.

• Direct object: Refers to a person or thing affected by the action of the verb.
• Indirect object: Refers to a person or thing who receives the direct object.

For example:

• He opened the door.
  * Here the door is the direct object as it is the thing being affected by the verb to open.
• I gave him the book.
  * Here him (he) is the indirect object as he is the beneficiary of the action.

» Direct Object
» Indirect Object

Back to:	Sponsored by:
English Grammar English Language	English language courses English Resources