Indirect Objects

Listen to four conversations using the grammar point.
Indirect Objects

Indirect Objects

Hear four conversations using this grammar point for free on elllo.org

Answer the following questions about the interview.

Indirect Objects

Point 1 : The direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb directly. It answers the question "what?" or "whom?" after the verb.
  1. I bought a book.
  2. He gave some money.
  3. We helped her.
  4. She called me.
Point 2: The indirect object is the noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. It typically answers the question "for whom?" the action is done.
  1. She gave her friend a gift.
  2. He told the teacher a story.
  3. She baked her son a cake for his birthday.
  4. She taught him how to cook.
Point 3 : If the indirect object goes after the direct object it needs a preposition, which is 'to' and 'for' in most cases.
  1. She gave some money to him.
  2. The teacher read a story to the students.
  3. My father built a special bike for me.
  4. Our boss gave a demonstration to the staff.
Point 4 : In the indirect object goes before the direct object, then a preposition is not used.
  1. She gave him some money.
  2. The teacher read the students a story.
  3. My father built me a special bike.
  4. Our boss gave the staff a demonstration.
Point 5 : If both the direct object and the indirect object use a pronoun, then the indirect pronoun must appear last after a preposition.
  1. She gave it to me.
  2. I sent it to them.
  3. She gave them to us.
  4. He ordered it for me.
Point 6 : The direct object can use a phrase with a 'Wh-word' and an infinitive to express an action. It always follows the indirect object.
  1. Please tell me what to do.
    1. Please tell me the procedure for doing something.
  2. I showed him where to go.
    1. I showed him the directions.
  3. Please show me how to cook this.
    1. Please show me the way to cook this.
  4. They taught me how to make it.
    1. They taught me the way to make it.
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