Object
Definition
In grammar, an object is a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that receives the action of the verb or
is affected by the action in the sentence. It typically answers the questions “What?” or “Whom?”
in relation to the verb. The object is an essential part of the sentence, especially when a verb is
transitive, meaning it requires an object to complete its meaning.
Types of Objects
1. Direct Object
o Definition: A direct object is the noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that directly
receives the action of the verb. It answers the question "What?" or "Whom?" after
the verb.
o Example:
Sentence: She bought a new car.
Direct Object: a new car (What did she buy?)
o Explanation: The action of "buying" is done to the object "a new car," so it is the
direct object.
2. Indirect Object
o Definition: An indirect object is the noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that indirectly
receives the action of the verb. It answers the question "To whom?" or "For
whom?" the action is done.
o Example:
Sentence: I gave my friend a gift.
Indirect Object: my friend (To whom did I give a gift?)
Direct Object: a gift (What did I give?)
o Explanation: The direct object is "a gift," and the indirect object is "my friend,"
who is the recipient of the gift.
3. Object of a Preposition
o Definition: An object of a preposition is a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that
follows a preposition and completes the prepositional phrase.
o Example:
Sentence: The cat jumped on the table.
Object of Preposition: the table (On what did the cat jump?)
o Explanation: The preposition "on" introduces the object "the table," completing
the prepositional phrase.
4. Object Complement
o Definition: An object complement is a word or phrase that follows and modifies
or refers to the direct object. It provides additional information about the direct
object, often describing the state or condition of the object after the action.
o Example:
Sentence: They named him president.
Direct Object: him (Whom did they name?)
Object Complement: president (What did they name him?)
o Explanation: "President" is the object complement that renames or describes
"him" (the direct object).
5. Prepositional Object
o Definition: This refers to the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition and acts
as the object of the preposition in a sentence.
o Example:
Sentence: She is sitting beside me.
Prepositional Object: me (Who is she sitting beside?)
o Explanation: "Me" is the object of the preposition "beside."
Comprehensive Quiz on Objects in Grammar
Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is an object in grammar?
o A) A word that shows the relationship between a noun and a pronoun
o B) A noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that receives the action of the verb
o C) A word that modifies a noun
o D) A verb that describes an action
2. Which question does the direct object typically answer?
o A) Where?
o B) How?
o C) What? or Whom?
o D) Why?
3. Which of the following is an example of a sentence with a direct object?
o A) She gave him a book.
o B) The book is on the table.
o C) They danced all night.
o D) She smiled.
4. What is the indirect object in the following sentence?
o "I sent her a postcard."
o A) I
o B) Her
o C) Postcard
o D) Sent
5. Which sentence contains an object of a preposition?
o A) She eats apples every day.
o B) He looked at the painting.
o C) They played the game.
o D) The dog ran fast.
6. What is the object complement in the following sentence?
o "They elected him president."
o A) He
o B) President
o C) Elected
o D) Them
7. Which of the following is a correct example of a prepositional object?
o A) She walked to the store.
o B) He built a house.
o C) They went home.
o D) The dog barked loudly.
Part 2: Fill in the Blanks
8. Fill in the blank with the correct object type: "She gave ___ a pen."
o (Answer options: direct object / indirect object)
9. Complete the sentence: "The teacher asked ____ to stay after class."
o (Answer options: direct object / indirect object)
10. Identify the object of the preposition in the sentence: "She sat under the tree."
(Answer options: under / tree)
Part 3: True or False
11. True or False: An indirect object receives the action of the verb directly.
12. True or False: An object complement modifies or refers to the subject of the sentence.
13. True or False: A prepositional object is always part of a prepositional phrase.
Part 4: Identify the Object Types in the Sentences
14. Sentence: "I gave my brother a toy."
Identify the direct object and indirect object.
15. Sentence: "They called her teacher."
Identify the direct object and object complement.
16. Sentence: "She ran across the park."
Identify the object of the preposition.
Answer Key
1. B) A noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that receives the action of the verb
2. C) What? or Whom?
3. A) She gave him a book.
4. B) Her
5. B) He looked at the painting.
6. B) President
7. A) She walked to the store.
8. Indirect object
9. Indirect object
10. Tree
11. False
12. False
13. True
14. Direct object: "a toy", Indirect object: "my brother"
15. Direct object: "her", Object complement: "teacher"
16. Object of preposition: "the park"