So, now we know that a word that follows the verb and completes it is called a complement. We also know that complements that follow linking verbs are called predicate nouns (which rename the subject) or predicate adjectives (that describe the subject).
But what about action verbs?
When a complement follows an action verb and receives the action of the verb, it is called a direct object.
For example:
Jenna kicked the soccer ball. (Jenna is the subject. Kicked is the verb. Ball is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb kicked.
Sometimes, the sentence also tells us to whom or for whom the action of the verb is done. When this occurs, we call that word the indirect object.
For example,
Jenna kicked me the soccer ball. (Jenna is the subject. Kicked is the verb. Ball is the direct object. Me is the indirect object because it tells to whom or for whom the action was done.)
Important Note: Any word that is found inside a prepositional phrase is NOT a direct object or an indirect object! Indirect objects must come after the verb and before the direct object (ask Mrs. Root about SAID, SAD, but never SADI).
For example,
Jenna kicked the ball to me. (Jenna is the subject. Kicked is the verb. Ball is the direct object. To me is a prepositional phrase, so it is NOT an indirect object.)
Practice: For each sentence, highlight in the appropriate color the subject, verb, prepositional phrase, direct object and indirect object.