retained object

noun

, Grammar.

1. an object in a passive construction identical with the direct or indirect object in the active construction from which it is derived, as the picture in I was shown the picture, which is also the direct object in the active construction ( They ) showed me the picture.

retained object

noun

1. grammar a direct or indirect object of a passive verb. The phrase the drawings in the sentence Harry was given the drawings is a retained object

Word History and Origins

Origin of retained object¹

First recorded in 1930–35