Direct Object

A direct object is the part of a sentence that receives the action of the verb. It answers the question of who or what.

  • I bought a nice sweater. (sweater received the action bought)
  • What did you buy? (what received the action buy)

Indirect Object

An indirect object specifies the beneficiary of the direct object. It answers the questions “to whom” or “for whom.”

  • I sent my friends a picture of the house. (my friends are the beneficiary of a picture)
  • Who did you send a picture to? (To who is the beneficiary of a picture)

References