indirect object
noun
: a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that occurs in addition to a direct object after some verbs and indicates the person or thing that receives what is being given or done : the person or thing that the action of a verb is performed for or directed to
In the sentences "She bought him a present," "He gave all four walls a new coat of paint," and "Ask me a question," "him," "all four walls," and "me" are indirect objects and "a present," "a new coat of paint," and "a question" are direct objects.
Note: Verbs that can take indirect objects are called ditransitive verbs.
Examples of indirect object in a Sentence
In “He gave me the book,” the direct object is “book” and the indirect object is “me.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Four different cases in Old English tell you whether a word is a subject, direct object, indirect object or possessor.
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The Economist, 1 Mar. 2018
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The Economist, 1 Mar. 2018
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Cite this Entry
“Indirect object.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirect%20object. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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