In each sentence, the indirect object is italicized, and the direct object
is underlined.
Mr. Higgins gave Penny an award. (To whom was the award
given?—Penny)
Laura gave us a challenging problem. (To whom did Laura give
the challenging problem?—us)
Their efforts earned them a handsome reward. (Earned a handsome
reward for whom?—them)
Can Harold purchase his mother a new home? (Purchase a new
home for whom?—his mother)
Note: Remember the difference between an indirect object and an object
of the preposition.
The comedian told her a joke. (The indirect object is her, and the
direct object is joke.)
The comedian told the joke to her. (The direct object is joke, and the
object of the preposition is her. There is no indirect object.)
