What Is a Direct Object? | Definition & Examples
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. The direct object often answers the question “what?” or “whom?”
For example, in the sentence “Cass writes novels,” the direct object is “novels.” It answers the question “What does Cass write?”
Bring the newspaper to me.
Where did you put it?
What is a direct object?
A direct object is the thing or person that the verb acts on. It is different from the subject, which is the noun or pronoun that performs the action. Direct objects can be identified by finding the verb of a sentence and then asking “what?” or “whom?”
Maggie called her mom. [Whom did Maggie call? Her mom.]
Transitive vs intransitive verbs
Some verbs (e.g., “sleep,” “walk,” “leave”) do not take a direct object because they are not used to express acting on a person or thing. These verbs are known as intransitive verbs. They are never followed by a direct object, though they can be followed by adverbs, adverbial clauses, or prepositional phrases.
She sneezed.
Prices are increasing daily.
Other verbs—known as transitive verbs—require a direct object. These verbs are incomplete if they are not followed by a direct object.
- I dropped.
- I dropped my keys.
- Juan is borrowing.
- Juan is borrowing my skateboard for three days.
Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive depending on the context. These verbs are known as ambitransitive verbs.
Terrell ran (the race).
Maryn reads (books) frequently.
Direct objects vs indirect objects
Verbs in English can also take indirect objects. Direct objects answer the question “what?” or “whom?”, while indirect objects answer the question “for whom?” or “to whom?”
I bought Eleanor a bracelet. [What did I buy? A bracelet. For whom did I buy it? Eleanor.]
If an indirect object is used, a direct object will always accompany it. Thus, indirect objects are only used with transitive verbs. However, transitive verbs do not always require an indirect object. A direct object can be used on its own.
- She brought Erin a cake.
- She brought a cake.
- The caterers sent Travis a bill.
- The caterers sent a bill.
Often, sentences with indirect objects can be reworded with prepositional phrases instead. In these cases, the sentence is not considered to have an indirect object.
- She brought Erin a cake. [“Erin” is the indirect object.]
- She brought a cake to Erin. [“Erin” is the object of the preposition “to.”]
Direct object pronouns
In English, different forms of personal pronouns are used depending on whether a pronoun is functioning as a subject or an object. So, for example, we say, “I love my sister” but “My sister loves me.” Direct objects (and indirect objects and objects of prepositions) always use the object pronoun form.
| Subject Pronoun | Object Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | Me |
| you | you |
| he/she/they/it | him/her/them/it |
| we | us |
| they | them |
The distinction between “who” and “whom” is not very common in daily conversation. However, it is important in academic writing.
Direct objects vs complements
Linking verbs (e.g., “be,” “seem,” “become”) do not take direct objects. Instead, the word that follows a linking verb is called a complement.
A complement can be an adjective (referred to as a predicate adjective) or a noun (referred to as a predicate nominative). When it is a noun, it can be easy to mistake it for a direct object, but this is not the case.
I want to become a runner.
Percy seems tired.
Phrases and clauses as direct objects
Direct objects can be more than one word; in fact, sometimes they are whole phrases or clauses. Because these phrases act as nouns, they are often:
- Noun clauses (which typically start with a relative pronoun like “that” or “which” or a subordinating conjunction like “if” or “whether”)
- Gerund phrases (which start with an “-ing” word)
- Infinitive phrases (which start with the “to” form of a verb)
Mei loves running in the park.
Do you want to eat at home tonight?
Note that these phrases still answer the question “what?” or “whom?” For example, “What did I say?”
Frequently asked questions about direct objects
- What is the difference between a direct object and an indirect object?
-
Direct objects are nouns that receive the action of a verb and answer the question “what?” or “whom?” (e.g., “I bought some flowers”).
Indirect objects are nouns that receive the direct object and answer the question “to whom?” or “for whom?” (e.g., “I bought Morgan some flowers”).
Both direct objects and indirect objects are used with transitive verbs. Direct objects are required after transitive verbs, and indirect objects are optional
- What is a direct object pronoun?
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Pronouns (words that stand in for nouns) can have different forms depending on whether they are acting as a subject (e.g., “I,” “we,” “they”) or an object (e.g., “me,” “us,” “them”).
When a pronoun is used as the direct object of a sentence, the object form is always used (e.g., “Martin sent them”).
The most common object pronouns in English are “me,” “you,” “us,” “him,” “her,” “it,” and “them.”
Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to make sure you’re using object pronouns correctly.
