Object of a Sentence
English Language: KS3, topic 3.8.2
Identifying the Object
The object of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that receives the action carried out by the subject. The object can also tell us who or what the subject does something to.
Spotting the object
- In the sentence ‘John ate cake’, ‘cake’ is the object.
- 'Cake' is the noun that receives John’s action of eating.
- In the sentence, ‘you understand English’, 'English' is the object.
- 'English' is the thing that has affected the subject.
Spotting the object 2
- To help identify the object, ask yourself who or what the subject is doing the action to.
Direct objects
- A direct object is a type of object.
- The direct object is the noun directly receiving the action of the verb.
- E.g. in ‘John ate cake’, 'cake' is the direct object.
- 'Cake' is the thing that the subject is eating (doing).
Indirect objects
- The other type of object is an indirect object.
- The indirect object tells can tell us:
- Who or what the noun is that benefits from the action.
- Who or what the noun is that is the goal of the action.
- E.g. In ‘John gave the cake to me’, 'me' is the indirect object because 'me' is who benefits from the verb (gave).
Sentence formation
- Sometimes the indirect object goes before the direct object.
- E.g. ‘John gave Mary some flowers’.
- ‘Flowers’ are the direct object because 'flowers is the object being given.
- 'Mary' is the indirect object because she is the one who receives the object.
Test yourself on Object of a Sentence
What is the object of this sentence?
'Cristiano eats sandwiches.'What is the object of this sentence?
'I'd like to go to Disneyland.'