the indirect object
An
indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that answers the ques-
tion
to whom or for whom after the action verb. An indirect object
precedes a direct object in the sentence.
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.)
Notes
Practical English Grammar - Notes
12. Periods Question Marks and Exclamation Marks
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30. the participle and participial phrase
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31. agreement involving prepositional phrases
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34. Regular Comparison of Adjectives and Adverbs
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36. agreement between indefinite pronouns and their antecedents
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40. compound subject and compound predicate
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43. the infinitive and infinitive phrase
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45. Parentheses Ellipsis Marks and Dashes
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49. subject complements predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives
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50. the noun adjective pronoun question
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