Indirect Object
An indirect object answers the questions to whom or for whom an action is intended.
John always gives an apple to the teacher.
What is the direct object? - the apple
Who received the apple? - the teacher
What is the indirect object? - the teacher
"the teacher" is the indirect object because it tells us who the apple was given to.
Another example:
She gave me the report.
What is the direct object? - the report
Who received the report? - me
What is the indirect object? - me
"me" is the indirect object because it tells us who the report was given to.
Another example:
I gave the sandwich to the man.
What is the direct object? - the sandwich
Who received the sandwich? - the man
What is the indirect object? - the man
"the man" is the indirect object because it tells us who the sandwich was given to.
The direct object is not always stated; in some cases it is implied.
Example:
My girl friend writes me every day.
What is the direct object? - letter (implied)
Who received the letter? - me
What is the indirect object? - me
"me" is the indirect object because it tells us who the letter was written for.
Example:
They told her.
What is the direct object? - it (implied)
Who received the action? - her
What is the indirect object? - her
"her" is the indirect object because it tells us who they told "it" to.
Category: General Spanish
