1. Direct Object
Certain verbs are classified as transitive verbs because they can be followed by a noun denoting the recipient of the action or the product of the action. On the other hand, verbs that do not take a direct object are known as intransitive verbs.
- She skillfully crafted a beautiful sculpture.
- The archer shot an arrow at the bullseye.
- The general successfully conquered the enemy territory.
- Mrs. Patel bakes delicious cakes for the bakery.
- The gardener proudly grows vibrant flowers in the garden.
- The blacksmith skillfully forges metal into intricate designs.
- Our ancestors constructed impressive structures in the village.
In the first four sentences, the verb is followed by a noun denoting the recipient of the action, while in the last three, the verb is followed by a noun representing the product of the action. The nouns completing the sense of the verb are considered direct objects, and they are in the objective case.
The object complement, also known as the direct object, plays a crucial role in completing the meaning of a verb. In contrast, intransitive verbs do not take an object.
- The tiger prowled silently.
- A gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
- The paper fluttered in the wind.
- They all laughed heartily.
These sentences, unlike those in § 99, lack a direct object because the verbs’ meanings are complete without the addition of a noun to represent the receiver or product of the action.
For instance, “The man struck —-” prompts the question “Struck whom ?,” while “The lion roared ” doesn’t elicit such a question because “Roared what ?” would be nonsensical.
It’s important not to confuse the predicate nominative with the direct object. Although they share similarities in standing in the predicate and completing the verb’s meaning, they differ in their relation to the subject.
The predicate nominative describes or defines the subject, denoting the same person or thing. On the other hand, the direct object designates the entity upon which the subject acts, typically representing different persons or things.
Charles [SUBJECT] {is | was | became | was elected} captain [PREDICATE NOMINATIVE].
Charles [SUBJECT] {struck James [OBJECT]. | threw a stone [OBJECT]. | built a boat [OBJECT].}
Both the direct object and the predicate nominative are categorized as complements, as they serve to complete the sense of the predicate verb.
A verb of asking can occasionally have two direct objects: one representing the person and the other indicating the thing.
- She asked the student her question.
- Ask him your doubts.
- They asked the chef the recipe.
In each example, the verb “asked” is followed by both a person (the one being asked) and the thing or information being inquired about. This construction allows for a more detailed understanding of the request.
2. Predicate Objective
Verbs such as selecting, naming, designating, creating, and believing have the ability to take two objects that pertain to the same person or thing.
In these constructions, the first object functions as the direct object, while the second object, which enhances the meaning of the predicate, is known as a predicate objective.
- We selected Sarah captain . [Sarah is the direct object of selected; captain is the predicate objective.]
- Call Alex your mentor .
- They considered the idea a breakthrough .
- Make this place your sanctuary .
The predicate objective is alternatively referred to as the complementary object or the objective attribute and is categorized as a complement.
Additionally, an adjective can serve as a predicate objective.
- I deem this plan feasible .
- Her story made her parents proud .
- What makes him so unique ?
3. Indirect Object and Similar Idioms
Certain verbs such as giving, telling, refusing, and similar actions have the capacity to accommodate two objects—an indirect object and a direct object.
The indirect object signifies the person or thing to whom or to which the action conveyed by the rest of the predicate is directed.
| ONLY DIRECT OBJECT | DIRECT OBJECT ALONG WITH INDIRECT OBJECT |
|---|---|
| Jenna painted the wall | Jenna painted her brother the wall. |
| They chose a leader. | They chose the employee a leader. |
| The chef cooked a dish. | The chef cooked the guests a delicious dish. |
| He wrote a letter. | He wrote his friend a letter. |
Most of the verbs that allow an indirect object are listed below:
Allot, allow, assign, bequeath, bring, deny, ensure, fetch, fling, forbid, forgive, give, grant, guarantee, hand, lease, leave, lend, let, owe, pardon, pass, pay, refund, refuse, remit, restore, sell, send, show, sing, spare, teach, tell, throw, toss, vouchsafe.
Pronouns are more common as indirect objects than nouns.
- They denied her life’s necessities.
- I guaranteed them a handsome profit.
- The king vouchsafed an audience to them.
It is always possible to insert the preposition “to” before the indirect object without changing the sense.
Since the indirect object is equivalent to an adverbial phrase, it is classified as a modifier of the verb.
Thus, in “Dick sold John his bicycle,” John is an adverbial modifier of the predicate verb “sold.”
The indirect object is sometimes used without an expressed direct object. For example:
- He paid the hatter.
Here, “hatter” may be recognized as an indirect object by inserting “to” before it and adding a direct object (“his bill,” “his money,” or the like).
The objective case sometimes expresses the person for whom anything is done.
- William made his brother a kite [= made a kite for his brother].
- Sampson built me a boat [= built a boat for me].
This construction may be called the objective of service.
NOTE: The objective of service is often included under the head of the indirect object. However, the two constructions differ widely in sense and should be carefully distinguished.
To do an act to a person is not the same as to do an act for a person. Contrast “John paid the money to me” with “John paid the money for me”; “Dick sold a bicycle to me” with “Dick sold a bicycle for me.”
The objective case is used after like, unlike, near, and next, which are really adjectives or adverbs. In this construction, they are often regarded as prepositions.
- She sang like a bird. [Like is an adverb.]
- The earth is like a ball. [Like is an adjective.]
- My office is near the station. [Near is an adjective.]
- That answer was unlike Joseph’s. [Unlike is an adjective.]
- This man walks, unlike Joseph. [Unlike is an adverb.]
- A stream ran near the hut. [Near is an adverb.]
The use of the objective after these words is a peculiar idiom similar to the indirect object (§ 105). The nature of the construction may be seen (as in the indirect object) by inserting “to” or “unto” (“She sang like unto a bird”).
NOTE: The indirect object, the objective of service, and the objective after like, unlike, and near are all survivals of old dative constructions.
Besides the case of the direct object (often called accusative), English once had a case (called the dative) which meant to or for [somebody or something].
The dative case is easily distinguished in Greek, Latin, and German, but in English, it has long been merged in form with the ordinary objective.
4. Cognate Object
A verb that is typically intransitive may, at times, take as an object a noun closely related in meaning to the verb itself. In this construction, the noun is termed the cognate object of the verb and is placed in the objective case.
- He ran a race.
- The mayor coughed a dubious, insinuating cough.
- A scornful laugh laughed at him.
- The trumpeter blew a loud blast.
- She sleeps the sleep of death.
NOTE: Cognate means “kindred” or “related.” The cognate object echoes the idea of the verb, often with some modification, and can be considered an adverbial modifier.
To illustrate the difference from the direct object, compare “The blacksmith struck the anvil” with “The blacksmith struck a mighty blow” (cf. “struck mightily”). As for the pronoun “it” as a cognate object, consider the following.
5. Adverbial Objective
A noun or a phrase, including a noun and its modifiers, can serve an adverbial purpose. This type of noun is termed an adverbial objective.
- We discussed hours about the project.
- She is minutes away from completing the task.
- He traveled miles for the annual conference.
- The temperature dropped degrees after the storm.
- The necklace measures an inch in length.
- My cousin is years older than his sister.
- I’ll wait for you a short while.
- Pause a moment before answering.
- Come here this very second!
- Direct your attention this way.
- The fabric is several shades too dark.
A collection of words, including an adverbial object along with its modifier or modifiers, constitutes an adverbial phrase.
