Instructions: Read, study, and learn this lesson. Then do the exercise.  When you are satisfied that you understand the lesson, take the test.

1. The direct object is another type of complement that receives the action of the verb.

2. It is marked with /forward/ slashes.

3. However, it does not refer to the subject. It receives the action of the verb, or it shows the results of the verb’s action.

Example:

The maid answered the door.

Door receives the action of answered:

Maid answered /door/

4. The direct object can be a single word or group of words that directly receives the action expressed by the verb.

Examples:

The technician .tested. [our] /computer/.

He .washed. the [dirty] /car/.

He .chased. a /bumblebee/.

5. In the first example, computer is the direct object.  It receives the action directly from the verb and answers the question (Who tested the computer?) In the second sentence, car is the direct object.  What was washed?  Car was washed.  In the third example, bumblebee is the direct object.

6. Direct objects are found only after action verbs.  Action verbs also include words such as think, study, understand and dream.

7. These verbs express mental actions. They are just as important as verbs that express physical action: run, jump, sleep, walk and bounce.

Exercise, Lesson 33

Instructions: On a separate sheet of paper, mark the parts of speech. If necessary, look back over the lesson for the answers.  Remember that the direct object is never part of the prepositional phrase:

1. I borrowed my brother’s new car yesterday.

2. First, I filled the tank with gas.

3. Then I drove around the block.

4. I got on the highway and headed home.

5. The flashing red lights in the rear view mirror surprised me.

6. I slowly pulled over to the side of the road.

7. The cops pulled up behind me.

8. They told me to remain seated in the car.

9. After a while one of them asked to see my driver’s license.

10. Then the officer told me that I had a broken taillight.

Test, Lesson 33

Instructions: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the direct object and what does it do in a sentence?

2. The direct object is marked with /forward/ slashes.

3. What does the direct object show in a sentence?

4. What can make up a direct object?

5. What question do you ask to find the direct object in this sentence?: The batter hit the ball over the fence.

6. Direct objects are found only after certain types of verbs.  What are these verbs called?

7. What type of action do the following verbs express?  .think., .study., .understand. and .dream.

Instructions: On a separate sheet of paper, mark the parts of speech in the following sentences.

1. I borrowed my brother’s new car yesterday.

2. First I filled the tank with gas.

3. Then I drove around the block.

4. I got on the highway and headed home.

5. The flashing red lights in the rear view mirror surprised me.

6. I slowly pulled over to the side of the road.

7. The cops pulled up behind me.

8. They told me to remain seated in the car.

9. After a while one of them asked to see my driver’s license.

10. Then the officer told me that I had a broken taillight.