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Direct Objects

Direct Objects are nouns, pronouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses. Direct objects follow transitive verbs, which are a type of action verb. Basically, a direct object receives the action.

In the sentences below, the direct objects are nouns.

At the restaurant, Maggie ordered a hamburger.

My brother won the race.

Even though Danny does not play guitar, he bought his friend's guitar so

that he could learn.

I ordered new shoes last week, but they have not arrived yet.

In the sentences below, the direct objects are pronouns.

They found him hiding in the basement.

My parents took me to dinner.

Randy lost it.

In the sentences below, the direct objects are noun phrases.

Robert enjoys running in Central Park.

Mr. and Mrs. Thao like watching movies on Friday nights.

Notice in the above sentence that the noun phrase has its own

transitive verb and direct object: watching movies

Mary Ellen wants to visit Mexico.

Notice in the above sentence that the noun phrase has its own

transitive verb and direct object: to visit Mexico

In the sentence below, the direct object is a noun clause.

Mai Neng hopesthat she will earn her degree next year.

Notice in the above sentence that the noun clause has its own

transitive verb and direct object: that she will earn her degree

If a sentence has a direct object, the sentence could also have an indirect object.

The officer gaveKim a ticket.

My dad boughtme a new bicycle.

Below is a sentence with a direct object

diagrammed.