Objects Reference Anchor Chart
Grammar Anchor Chart
Direct & Indirect Objects
The complete detective guide to finding who or what receives the action in a sentence
Master Sentence Pattern Formula
Subject Drew
Action Verb threw
Indirect Object the dog
Direct Object a tennis ball
* Notice: The Indirect Object always sits between the Action Verb and the Direct Object!
Direct Object DO
A noun or pronoun that receives the direct action of the verb.
How to Find It:
[Action Verb] + WHAT? or WHOM?
Sara threw the baseball.
→ Threw what? The baseball.
The mechanic fixed the car.
→ Fixed what? The car.
Key Tip: Must follow an action verb (not a linking verb like is/was/are).
Indirect Object IO
A noun or pronoun telling to whom or for whom the action is done.
How to Find It:
[Verb] + [DO] + TO/FOR WHOM?
Jane gave her mom the muffins.
→ Gave muffins to whom? Her mom.
Jessie throws her dad the football.
→ Throws football to whom? Her dad.
Key Tip: Always lives before the direct object in the sentence.
3 Steps to Solve Any Sentence
Step 1
Find the Verb
Is it an action verb? What action is happening?
Step 2
Find the Direct Object
Ask: [Verb] + WHAT? or WHOM?
Step 3
Find Indirect Object
Ask: [Verb] + [DO] + TO/FOR WHOM?
WARNING The "TO / FOR" Trap!
An indirect object NEVER comes after the words to or for. When this happens, it is a prepositional phrase, NOT an indirect object!
✓
George gave Charlie a popsicle.
Charlie = Indirect Object (between verb & DO)
✗
George gave a popsicle to Charlie.
"to Charlie" = Prepositional Phrase (NO IO!)
RULE The Partner Rule
1. A DO can stand alone:
Not all sentences with a direct object have an indirect object.
"My brother collects seashells." (DO only)
2. An IO NEVER stands alone:
All sentences with an indirect object MUST also have a direct object!
No Direct Object = No Indirect Object!
Object Detectives Reference Anchor Chart Action Verb → [IO: to/for whom?] → [DO: what?]
Objects Weekly Bellwork Sheet
Name:
Date:
Period:
Direct & Indirect Objects: Weekly Bellwork
Daily Warm-Up Exercises • Tuesday through Friday
Score: / 20
Tuesday Focus: Direct Objects (DO)
Ask: [Verb] + What? or Whom?
1–2. Circle the action verb and box the direct object:
A. The mechanic fixed the car.
B. Sara threw the baseball.
3. Fill in the blank: To find a direct object, find the action verb and ask:
"Who or receives the action of the verb?"
Wednesday Focus: Indirect Objects (IO)
Pattern: Subject + Verb + IO + DO
1–2. Circle the action verb, underline the indirect object, and box the direct object:
A. Jane gave her mom the muffins.
B. Jessie throws her dad the football.
3. Where is an indirect object found in a sentence?
Between the and the .
Thursday Focus: The "To / For" Trap
IO vs. Prepositional Phrase
1–2. Write IO if the sentence has an indirect object. Write PREP if it has a prepositional phrase with to or for:
[ ] George gave Charlie a popsicle.
[ ] George gave a popsicle to Charlie.
3. Rewrite Challenge: Rewrite this sentence so it contains an indirect object:
"Drew threw a tennis ball to the dog."
Friday Focus: Mastery & Creation
Apply Your Knowledge
1. In the sentence: "Ms. Smith assigned her students a worksheet," what is her students?
A) Action Verb
B) Direct Object
C) Indirect Object
D) Preposition
2. Sentence Builder: Finish the sentence using an indirect object AND a direct object:
I gave .
(Write Indirect Object here) (Write Direct Object here)
Object Detectives Weekly Bellwork Sheet Sentence Pattern: [Subject] + [Verb] + [IO] + [DO] Turn in on Friday for grading!
