INDIRECT OBJECT Meaning and
Definition
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The term "indirect object" refers to a grammatical concept used in sentence structure. It represents the recipient or beneficiary of the direct object within a sentence. An indirect object typically appears in sentences involving a verb that transmits an action from the subject to the direct object. It is the recipient of the direct object, indirectly affected by the action.
The indirect object is usually introduced with a preposition, such as "to" or "for," to signal its role in the sentence. It answers the questions "To whom?" or "For whom?" concerning the direct object. For example, in the sentence "She gave a gift to her friend," the direct object is "a gift" and the indirect object is "her friend," as it indicates the recipient of the gift.
The indirect object can also be identified by switching the sentence from an active to a passive voice. In the previous example, the sentence "She gave a gift to her friend" can be transformed into "A gift was given to her friend." Here, "her friend" becomes the subject, denoting the indirect object.
The purpose of the indirect object is to provide additional information and clarify whom or what receives the action of the verb. It enriches the sentence by presenting the recipient or beneficiary of the direct object within a specific context.
Common Misspellings for INDIRECT OBJECT
- undirect object
- jndirect object
- kndirect object
- ondirect object
- 9ndirect object
- 8ndirect object
- ibdirect object
- imdirect object
- ijdirect object
- ihdirect object
- insirect object
- inxirect object
- incirect object
- infirect object
- inrirect object
- ineirect object
- indurect object
- indjrect object
- indkrect object
Etymology of INDIRECT OBJECT
The word "indirect object" is formed by combining two distinct terms, "indirect" and "object", each with its own etymology.
1. "Indirect": The term "indirect" originated from the Latin word "indirectus", which is derived from the combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not, without" and the word "directus" meaning "straight, direct, straightforward". "Directus" comes from the verb "dirigere", which means "to guide, set straight". Over time, "indirectus" gained the meaning of "not in a direct line or course; circuitous". Eventually, it came to be associated with action or influence that is not immediate or straightforward, leading to the use of "indirect" in the context of grammar to describe certain elements.
Similar spelling words for INDIRECT OBJECT
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