Given the sentence:
I gave Tom a cup.
I can say, that
I is the subject.
But what is object here:
"Tom" or "a cup"
?
asked Nov 28, 2014 at 11:04
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1An indirect object is the recipient of the direct object– Lucian SavaNov 28, 2014 at 11:10
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1Denis, look up this article: "Ditransitive Verb"– CowperKettleNov 28, 2014 at 11:25
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1@CopperKettle I believe your answer is the best, could you convert it, please.– Denis KulaginNov 28, 2014 at 11:36
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"I is" is too regular for such idiomatic language as English. The English irregularity is "I always am". Or, you is just a more advanced learner than I am.– Little AlienDec 27, 2016 at 15:54
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3 Answers
Denis, look up this article: "Ditransitive Verb". A ditransitive verb can have two objects, one direct, one indirect. They are also called primary and secondary.
In the sentence
I gave Tom a cup.
Cup is the direct object, and Tom, the indirect.
answered Nov 28, 2014 at 11:41
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ngramshows that the term ditransitive is a relatively new word. It was born in the LSD-era.– TᴚoɯɐuoNov 28, 2014 at 13:56 -
Thanks, @TRomano! That explains why I've been getting such a kick out of using this term. I hope it's not a Schedule I word. ^_^ Nov 28, 2014 at 14:14
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Who finally receives? TOM, so it's object. Okay, What you give? A cup, so cup too is an object.
So, the question is which is direct and which is indirect.
I gave Tom a cup - TOM is the indirect object of the verb give
Excerpt from the page having useful information
An indirect object is the recipient of the direct object, or an otherwise affected participant in the event. There must be a direct object for an indirect object to be placed in a sentence. In other words an indirect object cannot exist without a direct object.
answered Nov 28, 2014 at 11:38
"Tom" and "a cup" are both objects. "Tom" is an indirect object whereas "a cup" is a direct object.
