THE DIRECT OBJECT

The direct object is used irrespective of the absence or presence of other objects attached to the same verb. The direct object denotes a person or thing directly affected by the action of the verb.

He wrote the article two weeks ago. Tommie did not know anything about it.

The position of the direct object

The most usual position of the direct object is that immediately after the predicate verb it refers to.

Then he found her in the hall.

The direct object is separated from the predicate verb in the following cases:

1. If there is a non-prepositional indirect recipient object to the same verb in the sentence. In this case the direct object follows the indirect one.

I never told him anything.

Note:The direct object may come before the non-prepositional indirect object if it is the pronoun it, and the indirect object is any other personal pronoun.

I never told it him.

2. If the direct object is modified by a phrase or a clause. In this case it may be separated from the verb by a prepositional indirect non-recipient object or an adverbial.

Ged had kept for his winter journey the cloak lined with fur.

He took into his hands a small beast.

3. If the direct object is expressed by a noun or a pronoun (except a personal pronoun) referring to a phrasal predicate verb consisting of a verbal part and a postposition such as about, back, down, in, off, on, out, over, through, up.

He laid down his stick. Ged took off his cloak that was heavy with water.

With most of those verbs, however, the direct object may also precede the adverb.

He laid down his stick. = He laid his stick down.

If expressed by a personal pronoun, the direct object always precedes the postposition.

He laid down his stick. = He laid it down.

The direct object comes before the predicate verb it refers to in the following cases:

1. In pronominal questions referring to the direct objector to its attribute.

What did they give you? Whose car was he driving? Which piece shall I take?

2. In certain exclamatory sentences.

What a wonderful boat he has built!

3. In case it is necessary to connect the idea expressed in this sentence with the preceding one. This makes the object more emphatic.

This job too he did well and patiently.

4. For the sake of emphasis or contrast.

I enjoyed arithmetic, as always. Grammar I could not understand in the least.

THE INDIRECT OBJECT

<== попередня сторінка	\|	наступна сторінка ==>
TYPES OF OBJECT	\|	The indirect recipient object

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