A direct object is a word in a sentence that directly receives the action in the sentence. A direct object is always a noun.
Look at these sentences. Each subject of the sentence does an action that gets transferred to a direct object.
Bob threw the ball.
The action is threw. That action goes directly to the noun ball, which is a direct object.
My dog chased a squirrel.
The action is chased. That action goes directly to the noun squirrel, which is a direct object.
Sally sewed a dress.
The action is sewed. That action goes directly to the noun dress, which is a direct object.
Every object is a noun. Use a noun for a direct object which receives action from the verb.
▶It’s your turn. Find the noun being used as a direct object in this sentence. Hint – it will be the word that directly receives action from the verb. Mom baked a cake. Did you choose the word that receives action from baked? Good for you!