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What is a direct object? The direct object answers the question: what (a thing or idea) or whom (a person or persons) to the verb.
Example:
Mary likes Bob. (What or whom does Mary like? Mary likes Bob. ) Bob is the direct object that answers whom.
Now, replace Bob with the direct object pronoun, him (3rd person singular). Mary likes him.
Mary likes tennis. (What or whom does Mary like? Mary likes tennis. Tennis is the direct object that answers what.
Now, replace tennis with the direct object pronoun, it (3rd person singular). Mary likes it.
Mary likes Bob's brothers and sisters. (What or whom does Mary like? Mary likes Bob's brothers and sisters.) Bob's brothers and sisters are the direct objects that answer whom.
Now, replace Bob's brothers and sisters with the direct object pronoun, them (3rd person plural). Mary likes them.
Mary likes cookies. (What or whom does Mary like?) Mary likes cookies. Cookies is the direct object that answers what.
Now, replace cookies with the direct object pronoun, them (3rd person plural). Mary likes them.
Object Pronouns - Azar: Exercises 47 & 48