Object of a Sentence

Basic Sentence Review

Before we introduce objects of a sentence, let's do a quick review of the basic parts of a sentence. All sentences need a subject and a verb. A subject is the person, place, thing or idea that the sentence is about; it is what performs the action. The verb is the action that is being performed by the subject; it explains what the subject is doing. Let's look at an example:

Sarah ate.

In this sentence, 'Sarah' is the subject - she is the one that the sentence is about and is the one performing the action, and the word 'ate' is the verb - it is the action being performed by the subject. This is a complete sentence.

So, let's change our sentence just a little bit to:

Sarah ate cake.

This is also a complete sentence. So, what part of speech is the word 'cake?'

What Is the Object of a Sentence?

The object of a sentence is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb. It is the who or what that the subject does something to. That sounds complicated, but we'll understand it more after we practice.

Terry carried out the trash.

In this sentence:

• 'Terry' is the subject: it is the one performing the action and the one the sentence is about
• 'carried' is the verb: it is the action being performed by the subject
• 'trash' is the object: it is 'what' is being carried and it is 'what' the subject is doing something to

Let's look at another one:

They played the drums.

In this sentence:

• 'They' is the subject: the one performing the action and the one the sentence is about
• 'played' is the verb: it is the action being performed by the subject
• 'drums' is the object: it is 'what' is being played and it is 'what' the subject is doing something to

Object Type: Direct

There are two types of objects: direct and indirect.

A direct object answers the question 'what' or 'whom.' Finding the direct object is simple once we identify the subject and verb in a sentence.

We can use this trick:

Subject + Verb + 'what' or 'whom' = Direct Object

Let's try it out:

David built a ramp on the sidewalk.

• 'David' is the subject
• 'built' is the verb

Using our trick we now say: David (subject) + built (verb) + 'whom' or 'what'

'ramp' is the direct object - it is receiving the action of the verb; it is 'what' is being built

Let's look at another:

Kelly brought my cousins to the game.

• 'Kelly' is the subject
• 'brought' is the verb

Now we have to locate 'whom' or 'what' did Kelly bring:

'cousins' is the direct object - they are 'what' is being brought to the game

Object Type: Indirect

Indirect objects are rare. An indirect object answers the question 'to whom,' 'for whom,' 'to what,' or 'for what.'

There are two very important rules for indirect objects:

1. We cannot have an indirect object without a direct object.
2. The indirect object will always come before the direct object in the sentence.

Let's try finding indirect objects:

Gloria bought her son an ice cream.

• 'Gloria' is the subject
• 'bought' is the verb

Now, let's locate 'whom' or 'what' did Gloria buy:

'ice cream' is the direct object - it's what Gloria bought

Now, let's ask 'for whom' or 'for what' did Gloria buy the ice cream:

'her son' is the indirect object - he is 'for whom' Gloria bought the ice cream

Let's do another example:

Rick gave Cassie the keys to her new car.

• 'Rick' is the subject
• 'gave' is the verb

Now, let's locate 'whom' or 'what' did Rick give:

'keys' is the direct object - they are 'what' Rick gave

Now, let's ask 'to whom' or 'to what' did Rick give the keys:

'Cassie' is the indirect object - she is 'to whom' the keys were given