The Direct Object
Direct objects are nouns, pronouns, phrases, and clauses that follow transitive verbs [a type of action verb]. If you can identify the subject and verb in a sentence, then finding the direct object--if one exists--is easy. Just remember this simple formula:
- Subject + verb + what?(who?) = the direct object
Here are examples of the formula in action
- Zippy, Maurice = subjects; played = verb
Zippy and Maurice played what? soccer = direct object
- Zippy = subject; kicked = verb
Zippy kicked who? Maurice = direct object
-
Sylina = subject; hates = verb
Sylina hates what? Biting her fingernails [gerund phrase] = direct object
-
Sylina = subject; hates = verb
Sylina hates what? When Mom lectures her about hand care [subordinate clause] = direct object
Direct objects can also follow verbals--infinitives, gerunds, and participles. Use this abbreviated version of the formula:
- Verbal + what? who? = direct object
Here are some examples:
-
To see = infinitive
To see what? Blood cells = direct object
-
To see = infinitive
To see who? The beautiful Miranda = direct object
-
Dragging = gerund
Dragging what? Her seventy-five pound German shepherd = direct object
-
Heaping = participle
Heaping what? His plate = direct object
-
Alien = subject; locked = action verb
The space alien locked what? His keys = direct object
-
Alien = subject; was = linking verb
The space alien was what? Happy = subject complement
-
She = subject; kisses = verb
She kisses who? Me = direct object
She = subject; spotted = verb
She spotted who? Him = direct object
-
Theresa = subject; hid = verb
Theresa hid what? Them = direct object
