Sentence Elements
2.2D
Indirect Objects
(Simple and Complex)

What is an indirect object?

Some action verbs can take an indirect object as well as a direct object. Most commonly, these are verbs that involve giving something to someone or making something for someone.

Indirect objects are usually placed directly before the direct object. They usually answer the questions "to what/whom?" or "for what/whom?".

Example:       She gave Dave a rose.
               She gave a rose to whom?
               Dave

                    The predicate of the above sentence consists of
                    the transitive verb "gave,"  the indirect
                    object "Dave," and the direct object "Dave."

               predicate = gave Dave a rose
Tip: Indirect objects can also be complex, consisting of the simple indirect object and all the words describing it.

Examples:

     I bought the little boy with the crooked grin a lollipop.

          simple indirect object  - boy
          complex indirect object - the little boy with the crooked grin
Indirect (Simple or Complex) Object

Type in all the words which constitute the indirect object. If your response shows as "Incorrect" in the status bar, the correct answer will appear in the blank.

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Copyright © 1998
English Department
University of Calgary

Last updated: August 18, 1998