In many English sentences, the verb doesn’t just act on something—it acts for or toward someone. That “someone” is often the indirect object. While the direct object receives the action, the indirect object tells us to whom or for whom the action is done. For example: She gave her friend a note. → Her friend is the indirect object; a note is the direct object.
Understanding how indirect objects work helps you write more complete, accurate sentences—especially when using verbs like give, send, tell, or offer.
What Is an Indirect Object?
An indirect object is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase in a sentence that tells to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed. It typically appears before the direct object and is only used with transitive verbs that take two objects.
Example:
- She handed her brother a towel.
→ What did she hand? → a towel (direct object)
→ To whom? → her brother (indirect object)
The indirect object is not the main target of the verb’s action—that’s the direct object—but it shows who receives or benefits from that action.
How to Identify an Indirect Object
To find the indirect object in a sentence, start with the verb and the direct object. Then ask “To whom?”, “For whom?” or “To what?” the action is directed.
Step-by-step:
- Find the verb.
- Ask “What?” or “Whom?” → This gives you the direct object.
- Then ask “To whom?” or “For whom?” → This gives you the indirect object.
Examples:
- Sentence: He sent his mother a postcard.
→ Verb = sent
→ Sent what? → a postcard (direct object)
→ Sent to whom? → his mother (indirect object) - Sentence: They built the team a new locker room.
→ Built what? → a new locker room (direct object)
→ Built for whom? → the team (indirect object)
If the sentence includes a preposition like to or for, the indirect object often appears after the direct object instead:
- She gave a gift to her friend.
- He bought lunch for his coworkers.
In both versions, the indirect object is the same—it just appears in a different position.
Indirect Objects vs. Direct Objects
Understanding the difference between indirect and direct objects helps you avoid confusion and write more precise sentences.
- A direct object receives the action of the verb.
- An indirect object receives the direct object or shows to whom or for whom the action is done.
Example:
- Maria gave her friend a book.
→ What did Maria give? → a book = direct object
→ To whom? → her friend = indirect object
Another Example:
- The coach showed the team a new strategy.
→ Showed what? → a new strategy (direct object)
→ To whom? → the team (indirect object)
If there’s only one object in the sentence, it’s usually a direct object. Indirect objects only appear when there’s also a direct object.
Indirect Object Pronouns
Indirect object pronouns are used in place of nouns that receive the direct object. These pronouns help make sentences smoother and avoid repetition.
Common Indirect Object Pronouns:
- me, you, him, her, it, us, them
These pronouns usually come before the direct object and follow the verb, just like regular indirect objects.
Examples:
- She gave me a note.
(Who received the note? → me) - He offered them a chance to speak.
(Who did he offer it to? → them) - We told her the truth.
(To whom did we tell it? → her)
Even though these pronouns look the same as direct object pronouns, their role in the sentence defines how they function.
Indirect Objects in Passive Voice
In active voice, the indirect object typically appears between the verb and the direct object. In passive voice, it can sometimes become the subject of the sentence, especially when the focus is on the person receiving something.
Example (Active → Passive):
- Active: The teacher gave the students a quiz.
→ Indirect object: the students
→ Direct object: a quiz - Passive (focus on direct object): A quiz was given to the students by the teacher.
- Passive (focus on indirect object): The students were given a quiz by the teacher.
Both passive versions are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on what part of the sentence you want to emphasize.
FAQs About Indirect Objects
What is an indirect object in a sentence?
An indirect object tells to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done. It usually appears before the direct object in a sentence.
How do I identify the indirect object in a sentence?
Find the verb and the direct object, then ask “to whom?” or “for whom?” the action is directed. The answer is the indirect object.
Example: He gave his sister a letter. → His sister = indirect object.
Can a sentence have more than one indirect object?
It’s uncommon but possible. In most cases, a sentence has one indirect object and one direct object.
Example: The coach gave the team and the manager a pep talk.
What is the difference between a direct and an indirect object?
A direct object receives the action of the verb. An indirect object receives the direct object or shows to/for whom the action is done.
Can I use a pronoun as an indirect object?
Yes. Common indirect object pronouns include me, you, him, her, us, them.
Example: She told him a story.