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indirect object
noun
- a word or group of words representing the person or thing with reference to which the action of a verb is performed, in English generally coming between the verb and the direct object and paraphrasable as the object of a preposition, usually to or for, following the direct object, as the boy in He gave the boy a book.
indirect object
noun
- grammar a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase indicating the recipient or beneficiary of the action of a verb and its direct object, as John in the sentence I bought John a newspaper Compare direct object
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Notes
Indirect objects can often take or suggest the preposition to . For example, “He showed (to) me the book.”
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Word History and Origins
Origin of indirect object1
First recorded in 1875–80
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Example Sentences
Indirect object: "I gave every man a trumpet;" "Give them not only noble teachings, but noble teachers."
From Project Gutenberg
In some languages the pronouns denoting subject, direct object and indirect object are all incorporated in the verb.
From Project Gutenberg
The subject, direct object, and indirect object are however easily recognised by their position in the sentence.
From Project Gutenberg
The subject comes first, followed by the direct object, then the indirect object if there be one, with the verb at the end.
From Project Gutenberg
In this sentence, him is not the indirect object of the verb, but is the object of the preposition for.
From Project Gutenberg
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