English/Word Functions/Indirect Objects


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Word functions: Subjects - Predicates - Direct Objects - Indirect Objects - Objects of the Preposition
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An indirect object is a second object in a sentence. It receives the action of the verb only indirectly. There can only be an indirect object if there is already a direct object.

We gave the teacher our tests.

In the above sentence we is the subject of the sentence, our tests is the direct object (the thing that was given), and the teacher is the indirect object. This is because the teacher took the tests (receiving the action), but was not the thing given (our tests).

Indirect objects are often used in sentences with verbs like tell, give, ask, buy, sell and many other common verbs.


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