what is an indirect object in a sentence and how do I find it???

Answer 1

Indirect Object is something that answers the question "to whom" or "for whom", so ask yourself that question. For example: I gave it to him. "Him" is an IO Pronoun. I gave it to Bob. "Bob" is an IO

Answer 2

I think an easy way to think about it is to first understand that *direct* object receives the action...

I gave a book.

What did you give? A book. That's the direct object.

...and the indirect object is whatever or whomever you gave it to.

I gave a book to Fred.

Fred is the indirect object. He is the recipient of the direct object.

To find the indirect object, first look for the subject and verb and find the direct object (what or whom is the recipient of the transitive verb), then ask yourself who/what is the recipient of the direct object?

A really, really good book that might help you with this and other grammar questions is called The Transitive Vampire. Extremely good examples presented in a lighthearted way.

Answer 3

indirect object -
a word or group of words representing the person or thing with reference to which the action of a verb is performed, in English generally coming between the verb and the direct object and paraphrasable as the object of a preposition, usually to or for, following the direct object


EX:
I wrote the get well card to her.
- IO- her
She kicked the ball to Tim.
- IO - Tim
The food was placed in the bowl for the cat that lived next door.
- IO - cat

Answer 4

You have some good answers here already. I have a suggestion also.

I gave a book to Fred.

If you took off "to Fred", it would still be a complete sentence.

I gave a book.

Why? Because you still have the main object. What you took off is the indirect object "Fred":

Answer 5

there can be a direct object and an indirect object
the thumb rule for finding the IDO is to ask the question to whom to the verb
example
i have him a book
to whom i gave-answer him
so that is the indirect object
i wrote a letter to him
to whom did i write-to HIM