The (Delightful) Direct Objects Page:

In the discussion about Predicates, I began a series of sentences about Dick and Mary.

One of the sentences I use is:

 Dick punched out Mary. (What a Dick!)

The sentence is about Dick (the subject), and what he did (predicate, "punched out").

Because the verb is an action verb, there's a good chance the sentence may contain a Direct Object.

That is, something that received the action of the action verb.

And there she is!

Mary!

Mary takes a punch.  What a good sport.

"Mary" is the direct object of the verb "punched".

 

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In the next example, the one to keep things in balance, Dick, Tom and Harry form the Direct Object.

Mary punched out Dick and Tom and Harry.

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One way to spot a direct object is to say the action verb followed by the question, "What or whom?"

The answer to the question is the direct object: "punched out whom?"

"Mary!"

Mary is the direct object.

In "Mary punched out Dick, Tom and Harry" we'd say the same question: "punched out whom?" Dick,Tom and Harry!

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In addition to adding to my vocabulary, why I care about direct objects is they can't exist without having an action verb.

In English there are two kinds of verbs, action and linking.  Action verbs have action (duh!) and linking have no action, they just sort of sit there indicating a relationship. For more see: verbs page.

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Because they jump off the page and do things, action verbs tend to make writing more interesting. Observe and decide which is more interesting:

Mary grabbed (action verb) Robsbierre and passionately thrust (action verb) her tongue (direct object) down his throat.

~or~

Mary is (linking verb) glad to see Robsbiere.

For even more about this idea, see the Commentary, E-Prime.

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Because I need to have an action verb in order to have a direct object, knowing about direct objects helps me to stay more aware of the verbs I choose to use.

Take a look at some writing you've done and find a sentence or two with direct objects.

Notice that the verbs are action verbs and not state of being verbs.

Now, if you've the courage, create a couple. Remember that you'll need an action verb and something/someone to receive the action.

 

 

 

To return to Step Two, please click here.