L09NADLS11_023-036.

qxd 5/1/07 1:03 PM Page 27

www.frenglish.ru
NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 2: PARTS OF A SENTENCE pages 85=87

The Direct Object and the Objective Complement

The Direct Object
2h. A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that tells who or what receives the action of
the verb or that shows the result of the action.

Direct objects complete the meaning of action verbs. They answer the question Whom? or
What? after the verb.
S V DO
EXAMPLES The lawyers questioned numerous witnesses during the trial. [Questioned
whom? Questioned witnesses. Witnesses is the direct object.]
V S V DO
Did Ali see them at the store? [Did see whom? Did see them. Them is the
direct object.]

An action verb may have more than one direct object. Two or more direct objects that complete
the meaning of the same action verb are called a compound direct object.
S V DO DO
EXAMPLE They recommended the soup and the salad. [Recommended what?
Recommended soup and salad. Soup and salad are parts of the
compound direct object.]
NOTE The direct object may come before the verb.
DO S V
EXAMPLE What a delightful performance you gave! [Gave what? Gave a
performance. Performance is the direct object.]

EXERCISE A Underline the direct object in each of the following sentences. Remember to underline all
parts of a compound direct object.

Examples 1. Do you need a folder or a notebook? [Do need what? Do need a folder or a notebook.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

Folder and notebook are parts of the compound direct object.]

2. The male sea horse carries the fertilized eggs in a pouch. [Carries what? Carries eggs.
Eggs is the direct object.]

1. Has the research and development team tested the new circuit? [Which word answers the
question Has tested what?]

2. Some bats eat rodents, birds, frogs, and lizards. [Which words answer the question Eat what?]
3. Do these boxes have lids?
4. Ancient South Americans built pyramids similar to those in Egypt.
5. A nurse recorded Julio’s weight and his temperature.
6. All evening, the group discussed politics and current events.
7. Our cat sharpens its claws on the fence post.

Developmental Language Skills 27

L09NADLS11_023-036.qxd 5/1/07 1:03 PM Page 28

www.frenglish.ru
NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 2: PARTS OF A SENTENCE pages 85=87 continued

8. General William Tecumseh Sherman commanded Union troops during the Civil War.
9. When will Grandmother visit us again?
10. I usually write poems and stories about my experiences.

The Objective Complement

2j. An objective complement is a word or word group that helps complete the meaning of a
transitive verb by identifying or modifying the direct object.

Objective complements usually follow the direct object and give more information about the
direct object. Objective complements can be nouns, pronouns, or adjectives.
S V DO OC
EXAMPLES The coach appointed Rene captain. [The noun captain identifies the direct
object, Rene.]
S V DO OC
The foreign exchange student made our home his. [The possessive
pronoun his modifies the direct object, home.]
S V DO OC
Orin will paint the kitchen white. [The adjective white modifies the direct
object, kitchen.]

EXERCISE B Underline the objective complement in each of the following sentences. Hint: Identify the
direct object first, and then determine which word or word group identifies or modifies the direct object.

Examples 1. The mayor named Dr. Espinoza Citizen of the Year. [Citizen of the Year identifies the

direct object, Dr. Espinoza.]

2. Who will crown his successor king? [King identifies the direct object, successor.]

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

11. Did the commissioner appoint Colleen chairperson? [Which word identifies the direct object,
Colleen?]

12. Some people call George Washington the father of our country. [Which word group identifies
the direct object, George Washington?]

13. Most people consider Albert Einstein a genius.

14. Years of research had made him an expert.
15. The Swansons named their son William.
16. Did you paint the house blue?
17. The citizens elected Mrs. Brown senator.
18. Why did you call the cat Sparky?
19. The barber cut Gary’s hair short.
20. Mr. Bailey always keeps his yard neat.

28 Fifth Course
L09NADLS11_023-036.qxd 5/1/07 1:03 PM Page 29

www.frenglish.ru
NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 2: PARTS OF A SENTENCE pages 86=87

The Indirect Object

2i. An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or word group that precedes a direct object and tells to
whom or to what (or for whom or for what) the action of the verb is done.
V S V IO DO
EXAMPLES Did Vicky send her friend a get-well card? [Did send a card to whom?
To her friend. Friend is the indirect object.]
S S V IO DO
His grades and athletic ability earned him a scholarship. [Earned a
scholarship for whom? For him. Him is the indirect object.]
S V IO DO
Aaron built his cocker spaniel a doghouse. [Built a doghouse for
whom? For his cocker spaniel. Cocker spaniel is the indirect object.]
NOTE Don’t confuse an indirect object with an object of a preposition. A noun or pronoun that
follows the prepositions to or for is part of a prepositional phrase and is not an indirect
object.
S V IO DO
INDIRECT OBJECT Felicia read her little sister a story. [Read a story to whom? To her
sister. Sister is the indirect object.]
S V DO OP
OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION Felicia read a story to her little sister. [Sister is the object of the
preposition to.]

EXERCISE A Underline the indirect object in each of the following sentences. Remember that the
indirect object will not be part of a prepositional phrase.

Examples 1. The pitcher threw the batter a fastball. [Threw a fastball to whom? To the batter.

Batter is the indirect object.]

2. In a relay race, a runner passes a teammate a baton. [Passes a baton to whom? To a

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

teammate. Teammate is the indirect object.]

1. The hotel gives guests free passes to local events. [Which word answers the question Gives free
passes to whom?]

2. Would you sketch me a map of the campus? [Which word answers the question Sketch a map for
whom?]

3. Tomorrow, Ms. Stanley will show our class some pictures from her trip to Argentina.
4. Every morning, my neighbor’s dog brings him the paper.
5. Please give the gerbils some water.
6. The car dealer sold the family a roomy sedan.
7. The florist delivered Candice a beautiful flower arrangement.
8. At the drama competition, the judges awarded us first prize.

Developmental Language Skills 29

L09NADLS11_023-036.qxd 5/1/07 1:03 PM Page 30

www.frenglish.ru
NAME CLASS DATE

for CHAPTER 2: PARTS OF A SENTENCE pages 86=87 continued

9. Will you sing me the song about candles?

10. The quarterback tossed the receiver the football.

The Compound Indirect Object

An action verb may have more than one indirect object. Two or more indirect objects of the
same action verb are called a compound indirect object.
S V IO IO DO
EXAMPLE Their mother bought Thelma and Aileen matching sweaters. [Bought
sweaters for whom? For Thelma and Aileen. Thelma and Aileen are parts
of the compound indirect object.]

EXERCISE B Underline the compound indirect objects in the following sentences.

Examples 1. Aunt Judith mailed my sister and me a package from New Hampshire. [Mailed a

package to whom? To my sister and me. Sister and me are parts of the compound

indirect object.]

2. Mr. Wilkins bought his cat and dog new collars. [Bought collars for what? For his cat
and dog. Cat and dog are parts of the compound indirect object.]

11. The clerk handed me and another customer our receipts. [Which words answer the question
Handed receipts to whom?]

12. Has Kent written Victor and Clara thank-you notes? [Which words answer the question Has
written notes to whom?]

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

13. Mr. Benson taught Adam and Suzi Latin last year.
14. Did she send you or Sam a graduation invitation?
15. The computer virus caused individuals and companies problems.
16. I shipped my aunt and uncle a copy of my favorite CD.
17. The marathon organizers will present the volunteers and sponsors certificates of appreciation.
18. Has the veterinarian given Sapphire and Polly their shots?
19. My great-grandmother told my brother and me stories about the Great Depression.
20. For practice, Andrea read Clay and Ginger her speech.

30 Fifth Course