Weblinks: Direct Objects

Weblinks: Direct Objects

Locate/Identify the Direct Object

Find the Direct Object quizzes

TRANSITIVE and INTRANSITIVE VERBS

Transitive verbs take a direct object. I pay the cashier. I play the piano. I read a newspaper. A direct object will be a noun or pronoun. He told me. A direct object is the answer to “what?” or “who?” I give what? I give money. I kiss whom? I kiss myhusband. Pay, play, read, tell, give and kiss are transitive verbs.

Intransitive verbs don’t take a direct object. They can be followed by nothing: She cried. We laughed. They can be followed by a prepositional phrase: He works in Berkeley. She fell in the street. They can be followed by adverbs: They came slowly. They cannot be followed by a noun or pronoun. Cry, laugh, work, fall, and come are intransitive verbs.

Video Lesson

Many verbs can be used both ways.
I eat chicken. (v.t.) or I eat in the kitchen. (v.i.)
He drives a car. (v.t.) or He drives recklessly (v.i.)
In these cases, the dictionary will say both. [I,T] or v.i./v.t.
When they have a direct object, they’re transitive. When they don’t have a direct object, they’re intransitive.

Verbs that must have objects (transitive verbs)	Verbs that can’t have objects (intransitive verbs)	Verbs that can go either way – with an object or not.
take, give, bring	go, come, arrive	eat, drink
buy, sell	agree, discuss	drive, play
tell, say	work, live, die	wake
make, do	run, walk, jump	study, read, write
send	sleep, sit,wait	speak
enjoy, like, hate, love	cry, laugh, smile	leave

Below are quizzes on transitive (have a direct object) vs. intransitive (don’t have a direct object) verbs.

http://www.quia.com/quiz/653869.html

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-transitive-intransitive-verbs.php#.UwlDc_ldU1I

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/transitive-intransitive-verbs1.html

Indirect objects
In the sentence, ” I gave her a book” The direct object is the answer to “what?” I gave what? The book! An indirect object is the answer to “for whom” or “to whom”
I have the book to whom? To HER. We can put the object of “to” or “for” between the verb and the direct object as just a noun. You can only have an indirect object if you have a direct object. The indirect object is a person or organization that you send/give/buy something to/for. More about Direct and Indirect Objects