Although nouns and noun phrases most frequently function as the indirect objects of sentences, four grammatical forms can perform the grammatical function of indirect object in the English language. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn and understand the four grammatical forms that can function as the indirect object in order to use indirect objects correctly in spoken and written English. The four grammatical forms that can function as the indirect object are:
- Noun phrases
- Prepositional phrases
- Verb phrases
- Noun clauses
Indirect objects are words, phrases, and clauses that follow a ditransitive verb and indicate to or for whom or what the action of the verb is performed. Sentences with indirect objects must also have direct objects.
Noun Phrases as Indirect Objects
The first grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of indirect object is the noun phrase. Noun phrases are defined as phrases formed by a noun or pronoun and any modifying words, phrases, and clauses including adjectives, prepositions, and verbs. For example, the following the following italicized noun phrases function as indirect objects:
- The woman gave the cat a bath.
- My husband bought me flowers.
- The applicant mailed the university her resume.
- The student has shown his classmates his project.
Noun phrases are the most frequent grammatical form that function as indirect objects.
Prepositional Phrases as Indirect Objects
The second grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of indirect object is the prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases are defined as phrases formed by a preposition directly followed by a prepositional complement such as a noun phrase. For example, the following italicized prepositional phrases function as indirect objects:
- My mom gave under the bed a good scrubbing.
- He has given behind the house some thought.
- The contractor will give in the garage some consideration.
- You need to give above the refrigerator a cleaning.
Verb Phrases as Indirect Objects
The third grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of indirect object is the verb phrase in the form of present participles. Verb phrases are defined as phrases formed by a verb plus any modifiers, complements, particles, or infinitive markers. For example, the following italicized verb phrases function as indirect objects:
- The child gave reading the book some consideration.
- I had given preparing dinner some thought.
- You should give showering daily a try.
- My grandmother is giving returning to college serious consideration.
Traditional grammars usually use the term gerund for present participles functioning as indirect objects.
Noun Clauses as Indirect Objects
The fourth grammatical form that can perform the grammatical function of indirect object is the noun clause. Noun clauses are defined as subordinate clauses formed by an independent clause preceded by a subordinating conjunction. A clause is defined as consisting of a subject and a predicate. For example, the following italicized noun clauses function as indirect objects:
- My parents gave that I want to go to the party some thought.
- I gave that you wanted me to prepare dinner a little consideration.
- You should have given what your parents said both thought and consideration.
- The teacher gave that all his students failed the test some serious reflection.
The four grammatical forms that can function as the indirect object in the English language are noun phrases, prepositional phrases, verb phrases, and noun clauses. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn and understand the four grammatical forms to properly and fully construct sentences with indirect objects in both spoken and written English.
Sources
Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1984.
"The Indirect Object." Internet Grammar of English. 1998. The Survey of English Usage. 26 Apr. 2009.
O'Dwyer, Bernard. Modern English Structures: Form, Function, and Position. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, 2000.
Heather Marie Kosur - About Me I earned a BA in English studies with a minor in creative writing from Illinois State University in May 2007 and an MS in ...
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