A word that receives the action from a verb is the direct object. A noun placed in between the verb and the direct object is called an indirect object. The indirect object indirectly receives action from the verb.
Here is an example of an direct object: John threw the ball. The word ball receives the action of the verb.
Now look at this sentence: John threw me the ball.
|The word me is placed between the verb and the direct object ball.
The indirect object in this sentence is me.
Here are more examples of an indirect object in a sentence:
Mom baked me a cake.
Mrs. Smith told our class a joke.
Dad showed us his award.
An indirect object is a noun placed between the verb and the direct object in a sentence. An indirect object indirectly receives action from the verb.
It’s your turn. Find the indirect object in this sentence: I gave Sue a gift. Did you figure out that Sue is the indirect object? Good for you!