Name: ___________________________
Complex Direct Objects
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. Put another way, the verb acts upon
the direct object.
Example 1: She sang a song.
In the example song receives the action from the verb sang. The direct object is song. In this example, song is a
simple direct object.
A complex direct object includes not only the noun or the pronoun but also any words, phrases or clauses
that modify the direct object.
Example 2: She sang a song that she wrote for the occasion.
In this case the clause that she wrote for the occasion modifies song, describing which song she sang. Therefore,
the complex direct object would be a song that she wrote for the occasion.
Circle the complex direct object in each sentence below. Make sure that any words, phrases, etc. that you
circle modify the direct object and not some other part of the sentence.
1. Bart called the store in the mall.
2. Corey served to his family the dinner that he cooked earlier.
3. Her father bought the popcorn that she likes.
4. He gave his teacher a card that he picked out himself.
5. Helene wrote a story about a pioneer town in Nebraska.
6. The mule kicked the cowboy named Joe with its hind feet.
7. My grandmother baked me a cake with chocolate frosting for my birthday.
8. The car passed the bus full of people that was stopped by the side of the road.
Copyright © 2014 [Link]. All Rights Reserved. Free for educational use at home or in classrooms. [Link]
Key
Name: ___________________________
Complex Direct Objects
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. Put another way, the verb acts upon
the direct object.
Example 1: She sang a song.
In the example song receives the action from the verb sang. The direct object is song. In this example, song is a
simple direct object.
A complex direct object includes not only the noun or the pronoun but also any words, phrases or clauses
that modify the direct object.
Example 2: She sang a song that she wrote for the occasion.
In this case the clause that she wrote for the occasion modifies song, describing which song she sang. Therefore,
the complex direct object would be a song that she wrote for the occasion.
Circle the complex direct object in each sentence below. Make sure that any words, phrases, etc. that you
circle modify the direct object and not some other part of the sentence.
1. Bart called the store in the mall.
2. Corey served to his family the dinner that he cooked earlier.
3. Her father bought the popcorn that she likes.
4. He gave his teacher a card that he picked out himself.
5. Helene wrote a story about a pioneer town in Nebraska.
6. The mule kicked the cowboy named Joe with its hind feet.
7. My grandmother baked me a cake with chocolate frosting for my birthday.
8. The car passed the bus full of people that was stopped by the side of the road.
Copyright © 2014 [Link]. All Rights Reserved. Free for educational use at home or in classrooms. [Link]