What is a direct object?

A direct object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a transitive verb in a sentence. It answers the question "what" or "whom" after the verb. In other words, it is the receiver of the action performed by the subject of the sentence.

To identify a direct object, you can ask yourself the question "verb + what/whom?" For example, in the sentence "She bought a new book," the verb is "bought" and the direct object is "a new book." The verb "bought" is the action performed by the subject "she," and the direct object "a new book" is what she bought.

Direct objects can be concrete or abstract nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases. They can also be proper nouns or even clauses. It is important to note that not all sentences have direct objects. Only sentences with transitive verbs, which require an object to complete their meaning, have direct objects.

Direct objects play a crucial role in sentence structure and help provide more information about the action being performed. They add depth and specificity to the sentence, allowing the reader or listener to understand the complete meaning of the sentence.

In summary, a direct object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a transitive verb in a sentence. It answers the question "what" or "whom" after the verb and adds more information about the action being performed.