Montessori Language
Direct and Indirect Object: Sentence Analysis and Exercises/Worksheets
Quick lesson on direct and indirect objects -- including a list of ditransitive verbs and examples of direct and indirect objects in sentences -- as well as free printable and live worksheets to help with mastery.
This article contains:
- The basics of direct and indirect objects
- Ditransitive verbs list with example sentences
- Sentence analysis / logical analysis exercises, Montessori style
- Direct object and indirect object exercises
Direct objects are what the verb is acting on. They answer the question “who?” or “what?” They receive the action of the verb.
Indirect objects, on the other hand, receive the direct object. They answer the question “to whom?”, “to what?”, “for whom?” or “for what?” They are found only in sentences that have direct objects.
Take note: Although indirect objects answer the question “to whom” or “for whom,” when the noun or pronoun comes after the prepositions “to” or “for” it is no longer an indirect object. Rather, it is the object of the preposition. An indirect object should NOT come after prepositions like “to” or “for” even though they answer the question “to whom” or “for whom.” (English, eh?)
You can think of it this way: the energy for the action flows from the subject, to the verb, to the direct object, to the indirect object.
Notes about verbs:
- Verbs that don’t have an object are called intransitive verbs.
- Verbs that have an object are called transitive verbs.
- Verbs that have both an indirect and a direct object are called ditransitive verbs.
List of Ditransitive Verbs and Examples of Direct and Indirect Objects in Sentences
Not all verbs can have indirect objects, so here’s a handy list of ditransitive verbs — action words that can have both direct and indirect objects — as well as examples of sentences that use these ditransitive verbs and have indirect objects. (You’ll notice that some of these verbs sound rather formal when used with indirect objects. Many of them can also be used in sentences without indirect objects.)
The ditransitive verb is in bold letters, while the colored word or phrase in the sentence is its indirect object.
- Accord
Example: We accord our guests a high level of service.
- Afford
Example: Samantha’s education afforded her plenty of work opportunities.
- Allocate
Example: We cannot allocate every student a computer; there simply isn’t enough.
- Allow
Example: Please allow me the courtesy of 24 hours to compose a reply.
- Appoint
Example: The court appointed her a guardian to look after her interests.
- Ask
Example: I asked him a question but he didn’t reply.
- Assigned
Example: Our parents assigned each of us a chore to do everyday.
- Assure
Example: His talent and hard work assured him a place in the team.
- Award
Example: The organization awarded Ms. Hernandez a plaque of appreciation and $10,000.
- Bake
Example: My mom bakes me a cake every year for my birthday.
- Bet
Example: I bet him $10 he couldn’t stay silent for a whole hour.
- Bring
Example: Marco brought her a burger and fries.
- Build
Example: Can you build me a dog house?
- Buy
Example: If I buy you a gelato, will you help me?
- Call
Example: The waiter kindly called me a cab.
- Catch
Example: Can you catch me a firefly?
- Cause
Example: Mike’s work caused him a lot of stress.
- Charge
Example: They will charge me extra if I bring it back damaged.
- Cook
Example: The chef cooked us a wonderful meal.
- Cost
Example: The tickets cost Gigio $200.
- Cut
Example: Cut me some slack, will you?
- Deal
Example: The defender’s injury dealt the already struggling team a fresh blow.
- Deliver
Example: Someone just delivered our neighbor an enormous box of pizza.
- Deny
Example: The draw denied Italy automatic World Cup qualification.
- Design
Example: We designed her a wedding gown fit for a princess.
- Do
Example: Do me a favor.
- Draw
Example: Can you draw me a picture of your favorite place?
- Drop
Example: Drop Dad a line when you get the chance.
- Earn
Example: Switzerland’s win earned them first place in the group.
- Feed
Example: That silly boy fed the monkey a fake banana.
- Find
Example: Please find me a good book for children.
- Fine
Example: The team fined him €5000 for coming late to practice.
- Forgive
Example: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
- Get
Example: Can you get me a Java chip frappe, please?
- Give
Example: John gave his family a trip to Slovenia for Christmas.
- Grant
Example: Diana’s boss didn’t grant her permission to take the day off.
- Guarantee
Example: That win guaranteed them a spot in the Finals.
- Hand
Example: She handed the cashier her credit card.
- Hunt
Example: He went off to hunt them a rabbit for dinner.
- Introduce
Example: The demonstration introduced them a completely new way of doing more with less.
- Keep
Example: She keeps us company sometimes.
- Leave
Example: Her grandmother left her a pair of pearl earrings.
- Lend
Example: Can you lend me $10 for the taxi?
- Loan
Example: I loaned her my Spanish dictionary and never got it back.
- Lose
Example: His rudeness lost the company a valuable client.
- Mail
Example: I mailed you the check about a month ago.
- Make
Example: His son made him a thank-you card.
- Name
Example: The buyer named them a sum they couldn’t say no to.
- Offer
Example: They offered a coupon in lieu of a refund.
- Order
Example: I ordered you a salad.
- Overpay
Example: Oh no! We overpaid the company $200.
- Owe
Example: You owe me one.
- Pass
Example: Pass me the salt, please.
- Pay
Example: Hans paid Stella €2 for the croissant.
- Permit
Example: The situation did not permit them the luxury of time to think things through.
- Play
Example: Play me a happy song.
- Prescribe
Example: The doctor prescribed her losartan for her hypertension.
- Profit
Example: Each sale will profit you 10% in commission.
- Promise
Example: He promised her the moon.
- Purchase
Example: The little boy’s parents purchased him a guitar for Christmas.
- Quote
Example: The agent quoted me a price I couldn’t possibly afford.
- Read
Example: My mom reads me a story every night.
- Refuse
Example: The consulate refused her an extension of her visa.
- Render
Example: He rendered me a great service and I will not forget it.
- Save
Example: Here, I saved you a cookie.
- Sell
Example: The shop sold me a box to put the gift in.
- Send
Example: Send me your homework by email.
- Serve
Example: The waitress served us our meals.
- Set
Example: Our leaders must set us a good example.
- Show
Example: Why don’t you show her your new house?
- Sing
Example: It helps me sleep when my mom sings me a lullaby.
- Spare
Example: Oh, please, spare me the excuses.
- Supply
Example: That shop supplies us eggs and milk.
- Take
Example: It might take me a few days to finish the report.
- Teach
Example: Mr. Roberts is teaching the choir a new song today.
- Tell
Example: Tell us a joke!
- Throw
Example: Could you throw me that shirt hanging on the back of the chair?
- Win
Example: His terrific performance won him an Oscar.
- Wish
Example: Wish me luck!
- Write
Example: He wrote Taylor a beautiful song.
Worksheets
Note on the Worksheets
You can reduce the size of the worksheet by zooming out your browser screen. For Windows users, scroll down the mouse wheel while pressing the Ctrl key in your keyboard. If there are any errors/glitches, just refresh and try again.
Sentence Analysis Exercises
Montessori Sentence Analysis: Direct Object Worksheet
You can download a printable version of this live worksheet here: Direct object – Sentence analysis Montessori PDF
liveworksheets.com
Montessori Sentence Analysis: Direct and Indirect Object Worksheet
You can download a printable version of this live worksheet here: Direct and indirect object – Sentence analysis Montessori PDF
liveworksheets.com
Montessori Sentence Analysis Exercise: Direct and Indirect Object Worksheet
You can download a printable version of this live worksheet here: Direct and indirect object – Sentence analysis exercise Montessori PDF
liveworksheets.com
Sentence Analysis Worksheet
You can download a printable version of this live worksheet here: Sentence analysis worksheet PDF
liveworksheets.com
Direct and Indirect Object Exercises
Direct and Indirect Object Quiz for Grade 5
You can download a printable version of this live worksheet here: Direct Indirect Object Quiz PDF
liveworksheets.com
Direct and Indirect Object Worksheet for Grade 6
You can download a printable version of this live worksheet here: Direct Indirect Object Live Worksheet PDF
liveworksheets.com