What is an Indirect Object?

An Indirect Object is a word or group of words that receive a Direct Object in a sentence. It is located between the Verb and Direct Object.

General Sentence structure according to English Grammar is,

Sentence = Subject + Verb + Object

In terms of Object, the structure is further classified into,

Sentence = Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

=> Sentence = Subject + Verb + “What/Whom” + Direct Object

Here, the action moves from Subject to Verb and then to Direct Object, then moves to Indirect Object.

Let us consider an example sentence,

Raju passed Sunil the ball.

SubjectVerbIndirect ObjectDirect Object
RajupassedSunilthe ball.

Explanation: The Subject (Raju) made an action which is a Verb (passed) and the action is received by the Direct Object (the ball) and finally received by the Indirect Object (Sunil).

An Indirect Object can also be either,

So, an Indirect Object can function in multiple ways. It can function as,

  1. Noun
  2. Pronoun
  3. Proper Noun
  4. Noun Phrase

Now let us understand more about these functions with examples.

Different Functions of Indirect Object

Noun as an Indirect Object

Below is an example of how a Noun can be an Indirect Object.

Here, I (Subject) wrote (Verb) a letter (Indirect Object) to her (Direct Object) are mentioned. Since “letter” is a name of a thing, so it is a Noun.

What I wrote to her? “A letter” is an Indirect Object.

Also Read: Noun Definition and Examples | (Best English Guide 2025)

Pronoun as an Indirect Object

Below is an example of how a Pronoun can be an Indirect Object.

Here, John (Subject) bought (Verb) her (Indirect Object) a car (Direct Object) are mentioned. Since “her” is a Pronoun.

John bought a car to whom? “him” is an Indirect Object.

Also Read: What is a Pronoun? | Pronoun Definition and Examples (2025)

Proper Noun as an Indirect Object

Below is an example of how a Proper Noun can be an Indirect Object.

Here, She (Subject) went (Verb) to Paris (Indirect Object) for a holiday trip (Direct Object) are mentioned. Since “Paris” is a Proper Noun.

Where did she went for a holiday trip? “Paris” is an Indirect Object.

Also Read: Proper Noun with examples | Best English Guide 2025

Noun Phrase as an Indirect Object

Below is an example of how a Noun Phrase can be an Indirect Object.

Here, Sita (Subject) bought (Verb) her eldest daughter (Indirect Object) a house (Direct Object) are mentioned. Since “her eldest daughter” is a Phrase of a Noun.

Sita bought a house to whom? “her eldest daughter” is an Indirect Object.

More Examples of Indirect Object

Here are some other example sentences of Indirect Objects.

Using Prepositional Phrase in Indirect Object

Prepositional Phrase is often used for Indirect Object. These are used to rephrase or reposition by adding “for” or “to” before Indirect Object.

For example (compare the below two sentences):

In the second statement, we can observe that the preposition (to) is excluded, but the meaning is same as the first one.

Even though both the sentences are correct and anyone can be used depending on the condition/usage.

Note: The Prepositional Phrase is not an Indirect Object.

Basic Rules of Indirect Object

Here are some rules that you need to follow if you are using Indirect Object in a sentence.

Rule 1: Indirect Object always needs Direct Object.

Indirect Object cannot be used without having Direct Object, because Direct Object is an important part of the sentence which usually describes about the action received from the Subject.

Indirect Object is an extension of the Direct Object which is used to receive the action from the Direct Object.

So, before you use Indirect Object in a sentence, make sure you have Direct Object in it.

Rule 2: When Indirect Object is a Pronoun, then it must be an Objective Case.

When Pronoun is used as an Indirect Object in a sentence, then must be an Objective Case. It can also have Subjective Case.

Below table shows various Subjective and Objective cases that you can refer.

Subjective CaseObjective Case
hehim
sheher
itit
Ime
youyou
weus
theythem

Let us understand this with few examples.

Rule 3: Only Transitive Verbs can be used for Indirect Object.

The only verbs that can be used for Indirect Object is Transitive Verbs. These verbs are also used for Direct Object as well.

So, overall Transitive verbs are used for both Direct and Indirect Objects in a sentence. Non transitive verbs should not be used.

Example (with Transitive Verb):

SubjectTransitive VerbIndirect ObjectDirect Object
Sitaboughthima car.

Note: The blue coloured word in the above example is a Transitive Verb.

Example (with Intransitive Verb):

Here the verb (raced) does not answer “what?” or “whom?”. So, it can’t be used for Indirect Object (as well as for Direct Object also).

Note: The blue coloured word in the above example is a Intransitive Verb.

How to identify an Indirect Object in a sentence?

To identify an Indirect Object in a sentence, you need to follow step by step procedure and it is easy to find out.

Let us consider an example on how to find it.

Example: Raju passed Sunil the ball.

Step 1: First, find out the Subject in the given sentence. (Subject: Raju)

Step 2: Next, find out the verb in the given sentence. Make sure that it is a Transitive Verb but not Intransitive. (Verb: passed)

Step 3: Then, find the Direct Object in the sentence. Remeber that Direct Object is the receiver of the action of the Subject. (Direct Object: ball)

Step 4: Finally, find out the Indirect Object by considering “for/to whom/what” in the sentence. (Indirect Object: Sunil).

Ex: Raju passed the ball to whom? “Sunil” is an Indirect Object.

Summary: (What is an Indirect Object?)

What is an Indirect Object?
What is an Indirect Object?

Here is the summary of what we have learnt till now.

If you are interested to learn more, then you can refer to Wikipedia here.

I hope that you understood the topic “What is an Indirect Object?”. If you still have any doubts, then comment down below and we will respond as soon as possible. Thank You.

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