Flashcard 12 - Sentence Structure Flashcard Set for the English Basics

indirect

A sentence cannot have an indirect object without having a direct object (but not all sentences that have a direct object will have an indirect object). Indirect objects identify to whom or for whom the action is done. The indirect object is the recipient of the action rather than the person doing the action. For example, Martin passed the mashed potatoes to his sister. Subject = Martin, verb = passed, and direct object (who or what did he pass?) = mashed potatoes. To whom or for whom were the potatoes passed? His sister = indirect object.