A noun can act as an object in a sentence. Action happens to an object in a sentence. With a direct object, the action happens directly to the object. With an indirect object, the action happens indirectly.
We can only have an indirect object when there is already a direct object in the sentence. The indirect object sits between the verb and the direct object. Look at these sentence examples:
Bob threw the ball. The noun ball is a direct object. It directly receives the throwing action.
Bob threw Mike the ball. The noun Mike is an indirect object. It sits between the verb threw and the direct object ball. The noun Mike indirectly receives the action from the verb.
Here are some more examples of an indirect object:
Mom baked Dad a cake for his birthday. Dad is the indirect object. Cake is the direct object.
Jim showed the class his picture. Class is the indirect object. Picture is the direct object.
Mary taught me a new dance step. Me is the indirect object. Step is the direct object.
An indirect object always comes between the verb and a direct object. There is no indirect object in a sentence unless there is already a direct object.
It’s your turn. Find the indirect object in this sentence: Mom read Sally a bedtime story. Did you figure out who indirectly received the reading action? Good for you!