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 indirect object is really a type of adverb phrase that consists of a noun or pronoun and comes before the direct object.

2. It tells to whom the action is done. Or it tells for whom the action is done.

3. The indirect object is marked with braces, the same as an {adverb phrase}.

4. It also has a tick mark (‘) indicating that the word to or for is missing but understood to be part of the sentence.

Example: The waiter showed the couple a new menu.

The word menu is the direct object.
Couple is the indirect object.
Waiter .showed. to couple the /menu/.

5. When the words to or for are present in the sentence as part of a prepositional phrase, the words that follow them are not indirect objects. They are the objects of the preposition. 

Compare the following sentences:

Examples:             

The waiter .served. {‘me} fresh /coffee/.
The word “to” is understood: {to me}.
In this sentence me is an indirect object.

Examples:             

The waiter .served. fresh /coffee/ {to me}.

In this sentence to me is a prepositional phrase, acting as an adverb and is not considered an indirect object.

Examples:

They .gave. {‘us} [several] /gifts/.
They .gave. [several] /gifts/ {to us}.

6. Adverbs in the predicate may cause confusion when identifying complements. Remember that an adverb tells when, where, how, and sometimes why about the verb.

Examples:
They .went. {home}.
Home is an adverb telling where they went.

 7. If the word can be moved to another part of the sentence and still make sense, it is probably an adverb.  {Home} they .went.

8. A direct object receives the action of an action verb.

Example: You .have. the /answer/ {in the palm of your hands}.

Answer is a noun acting as a direct object.

9. Some sentences have compound complements. Study the following examples before doing the exercises.

Complements may be compound:

Examples:             

[My] [two] [older] sisters .are. /Linda/ and /Helen/.
Compound predicate nominative.

The test .was. /long/ and /boring/.
Compound predicate adjective.

.Bring. {‘me} the /books/ and /magazines/.
Compound predicate nominative.

Exercise, Lesson 34

The Indirect Object

 Instructions: On a separate sheet of paper mark the subjects, verbs, objects and indirect object in each sentence.

1. Last Wednesday Barbara told us about the order she placed for her new furniture.

2. He wants a room in the new building.

3. This new job demands many hours of hard work

4. They all gave Jane their support when she started working there.

5. Jim showed us the computer room in the new building.

6. During the past week, he has spent several hours of his own time learning the equipment.

7. His teacher gives him after-class tutoring sessions in math.

8. With that type of attitude, he will do well in college.

9. Sarah gave him the books she used last semester.

10. These new shoes gave me blisters when I had to walk up and down stairs several times.

Test, Lesson 34

The Indirect Object

Instructions: On a separate sheet of paper, answer each question.

1. What is the indirect object, and what is its position in the sentence?

2. What does the indirect object do in a sentence?

3. How is the indirect object marked?

4. How do you indicate that the words to and for are missing but understood?

5. When the words to or for are present in the sentence, how does this change the structure of the sentence?

6. Which word tells when, where, how, and sometimes why about the verb.

7. How can you tell if a word is an adverb?

8. How is a direct object different from an indirect object?

9. Can some sentences have compound complements?

Instructions: On the same sheet of paper, write sentences one to ten and mark the subjects, verbs, objects and indirect objects.

1. Last Wednesday Sonny told us about the order he placed for the new furniture.

2. He wants a room in the new building.

3. This new job demands many hours of hard work

4. They all gave Jane their support when she started working there.

5. Jim showed us the computer room in the new building.

6. During the past week, he has spent several hours of his own time learning the equipment.

7. His teacher gives him after-class tutoring sessions in math.

8. With this type of attitude, he will do well in college.

9. Sarah gave him the books she used last semester.

10. These new shoes gave me blisters when I had to walk up and down stairs several times.