Object - Definition, Types
and Examples
A sentence in English is constructed with the use of five
main components – subject, verb, object, complement,
and adjunct. Each one is meant to perform particular
functions in the sentence, and the most common
sentence structure is SVO. In this article, let us specifically
look at what an object is, its definition, types, how to use
them in sentences and examples of various sentence
structures.
Table of Contents
What Is an Object? – Meaning and Definition
Functions of an Object
Object of a Verb
Object of a Preposition
Types of Objects
Direct Object
Indirect Object
How to Place Objects in a Sentence? – Examples
Examples of Direct Objects
Examples of Indirect Objects
Check Your Understanding of Objects in Sentences
Frequently Asked Questions on Object in English
Grammar
What Is an Object? – Meaning and
Definition
An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action
done by the subject in a sentence. In a basic sentence
structure such as SVO, it appears after the verb. The
general meaning of an object is a non-living thing that can
be touched and seen. Though it refers to the same things,
it has a different definition in grammar.
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an object as “a
noun, noun phrase or pronoun that refers to a person or
thing that is affected by the action of the verb (called the
direct object), or that the action is done to or for (called
the indirect object)”. According to the Cambridge
Dictionary, an object is a “noun or noun phrase that is
affected by the action of a verb or that follows a
preposition”.
Functions of an Object
Words that function as objects have two main functions.
They function as the object of a verb and the object of a
preposition.
Object of a Verb
When it appears after the verb and is the receiver of the
particular action, it is the object of a verb. In sentence
structures such as SVO, SVIODO, ASVO, SVOC, SVOA and
ASVOA, the object functions as the object of the verb.
For example:
I had a pizza.
We took a bus to the airport.
Yesterday, India won the match.
Object of a Preposition
Just like the object of a verb is found after the verb, the
object of a preposition is found after the preposition. It is
part of a prepositional phrase. Take a look at the following
examples.
Preethi will be going to the market.
I am meeting my friend at the park.
Cathy made a cake for me.
Types of Objects
Objects can be classified into two main categories. They
are
Direct object
Indirect object
Direct Object
A direct object is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase that
receives the action done by the subject. It can be
identified by asking the question ‘what’. For example, I
bought a phone. The noun ‘phone’ is the direct object in
this sentence.
Direct objects are mostly found immediately after the verb
in most cases. There are also sentence structures where
the direct object appears after a complement or an
adjunct. Some of the most common sentence structures
containing direct objects are SVO, SVOC, SVOA, SVCO
and SVAO.
Indirect Object
An indirect object is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase that
receives what is done or given. In other words, an indirect
object is one that the action is directed to or performed
for. To identify an indirect object, you can ask the question
‘for whom’ and ‘to whom’.
Let us look at an example.
Jerry gave Tom a birthday present.
In this sentence, ‘a birthday present’ is the direct object
and ‘Tom’ is the indirect object that receives the direct
object. SVIODO, ASVIODO and SVIODOA are some of the
common sentence patterns that contain an indirect
object.
How to Place Objects in a Sentence? –
Examples
Take a look at the following examples to understand how
objects are placed in sentences.
Examples of Direct Objects
Olivia had bread and butter for breakfast.
Brinda came home yesterday.
Madhav likes chocolates.
We bought some roses for the floral arrangement.
There is a big house on the parallel street.
Examples of Indirect Objects
Nathan bought his sister a new watch.
Rani’s mother read her a story before she went to
bed.
Rachel taught us a song.
I wanted to get my dad a smartwatch.
Juan asked Nina a question.
Check Your Understanding of Objects
in Sentences
Identify the objects in the following sentences and also
state if they are direct or indirect objects.
1. Praveen has a Royal Enfield.
2. Trisha wished her sister on her birthday.
3. Tarun and Sanjay bought Prithvi a bicycle.
4. Nilani called me yesterday evening.
5. Aarushi visited Piazza Plebiscito, Vestibolo Maiolicato
and Castle Sant’Elmo in Naples.
6. Inba plays cricket.
7. Shanti opened the door for us.
8. His mom gave him some pocket money for the trip.
9. Karan asked Renjith and Samar to help him with the
sofa.
10. I have read Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s
‘Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life’.
Check if you have identified the objects correctly from the
answers given below.
1. Praveen has a Royal Enfield.
A Royal Enfield – Direct object
2. Trisha wished her sister on her birthday.
Her sister – Indirect object
3. Tarun and Sanjay bought Prithvi a bicycle.
Prithvi – Indirect object, A bicycle – Direct object
4. Nilani called me yesterday evening.
Me – Direct object
5. Aarushi visited Piazza Plebiscito, Vestibolo Maiolicato
and Castle Sant’Elmo in Naples.
Piazza Plebiscito, Vestibolo Maiolicato and Castle
Sant’Elmo in Naples – Direct object
6. Inba plays cricket.
Cricket – Direct object
7. Shanti opened the door for us.
The door – Direct object
8. His mom gave him some pocket money for the trip.
Some pocket money – Direct object
9. Karan asked Renjith and Samar to help him with the
sofa.
Renjith and Samar – Indirect object
10. I have read Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s
‘Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life’.
Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s ‘Ikigai: The
Japanese secret to a long and happy life’ – Direct object
Frequently Asked Questions on Object
in English Grammar
Q1
What is an object?
An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action
done by the subject in a sentence.
Q2
What is the definition of an object?
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an object as “a
noun, noun phrase or pronoun that refers to a person or
thing that is affected by the action of the verb (called the
direct object), or that the action is done to or for (called
the indirect object)”. According to the Cambridge
Dictionary, an object is a “noun or noun phrase that is
affected by the action of a verb or that follows a
preposition”.
Q3
What are the two types of objects?
The two types of objects are
Direct objects
Indirect objects
Q4
Give 3 examples of sentences with objects.
Pravina enjoys watching classic films.
Harish owes you 2500 rupees.
Seena cooks breakfast and lunch for everyone.
