A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb in an active sentence. It answers the questions what? or whom? about the transitive verb.

Again, a simple direct object is only the noun or pronoun, whereas a complex direct object consists of that noun and pronoun and any modifiers that accompany it. For exampe:

María threw the ball.
What did María throw? 
- She threw the ball.

Pedro hit Maribel.
Whom did Pedro hit? 
- He hit Maribel.

The direct object may also be compound. For exampe:

Gabriela burnt the turkey and the stuffing.
What did Gabriela burn? 
- She burnt the turkey and the stuffing.

[ view full lesson ]