A direct object is a noun or pronoun in a sentence that receives the action of a transitive verb.
- Gary drinks beer.
(transitive verb/drink – direct object receives the action/beer) - The crowd applauded the singer.
(transitive verb/applauded – direct object receives the action/singer) - We can walk to the top the hill and watch the sunset.
(walk/hill – watch/sunset)
You can find the direct object in a sentence by finding the verb and asking what? or whom?
- She ate an orange.
Step 1. Find the verb = ate
Step 2. Ask what? = orange
The direct object is the orange. - Piotr will paint the house tomorrow.
Step 1. Find the verb = paint
Step 2. Ask what? = house
The direct object is the house.
Compare with an indirect object.
