An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises. George Lyman Kittredge
Nos. 1–4, the verb is followed by a noun denoting the receiver of the action. Thus, in the first sentence, the dog receives the blow; in the second, the target receives the action of hitting. In Nos. 5–7, the verb is followed by a noun denoting the product of the action. For example, the corn is produced by the action expressed by the verb raises.
In each example, the noun that follows the verb completes the sense of the verb. “That man struck——.” “Struck whom?” “He struck the dog.” Until dog is added the sense of the verb struck is incomplete.
100. A substantive that completes the meaning of a transitive verb is called its direct object, and is said to be in the objective case.
Thus, in the examples above, dog is the direct object of the transitive verb struck; target is the direct object of hit—and so on. Each of these nouns is therefore in the objective case.
The direct object is often called the object complement, or the object of the verb.
101. Intransitive verbs have no object.
The lion roared.
The visitor coughed gently.
The log drifted downstream.
We all listened intently.
Compare these sentences with those in § 99. We observe that the verbs (unlike those in § 99) admit no object, since their meaning is complete without the addition of any noun to denote the receiver or product of the action. “The man struck——” prompts the inquiry, “Struck whom?” But no such question is suggested by “The lion roared”; for “Roared what?” would be an absurdity.
102. The predicate nominative (§ 88, 2) must not be confused with the direct object. They resemble each other in two particulars: (1) both stand in the predicate, and (2) both complete the meaning of the verb. But they differ utterly in their relation to the subject of the sentence. For—
The predicate nominative describes or defines the subject. Hence both substantives denote the same person or thing.
Charles [SUBJECT] {is | was | became | was elected} captain [PREDICATE NOMINATIVE].
The direct object neither describes nor defines the subject. On the contrary, it designates that upon which the subject acts. Hence the two substantives regularly18 denote different persons or things.
Charles [SUBJECT] {struck James [OBJECT]. | threw a stone [OBJECT]. | built a boat [OBJECT].}
Both the direct object and the predicate nominative are classed as complements, because they are used to complete the sense of the predicate verb (§ 483).
103. A verb of asking sometimes takes two direct objects, one denoting the person and the other the thing.
She asked the boy his name.
Ask me no favors.
I asked the lawyer his opinion.
2. Predicate Objective
104. Verbs of choosing, calling, naming, making, and thinking may take two objects referring to the same person or thing.
The first of these is the direct object, and the second, which completes the sense of the predicate, is called a predicate objective.
We chose Oscar president. [Oscar is the direct object of chose; president is the predicate objective.]
I call John my friend.
They thought the man a coward.
Make my house your home.
The predicate objective is often called the complementary object or the objective attribute. It is classed as a complement.
An adjective may serve as predicate objective.
I call this ship unseaworthy.
Your letter made your sister anxious.
What makes Edwin so careless?
3. Indirect Object and Similar Idioms
105. Some verbs of giving, telling, refusing, and the like, may take two objects, a direct object and an indirect object.
The indirect object denotes the person or thing toward whom or toward which is directed the action expressed by the rest of the predicate.
| Direct Object only | Direct Object and Indirect Object |
|---|---|
| Dick sold his bicycle. | Dick sold John his bicycle. |
| I gave permission. | I gave this man permission. |
| He paid a dollar. | He paid the gardener a dollar. |
| She taught Latin. | She taught my children Latin. |
Most of the verbs that admit an indirect object are included in the following list:—
allot,
allow,
assign,
bequeath,
bring,
deny,
ensure,
fetch,
fling,
forbid,
forgive,
give,
grant,
guarantee,
hand,
lease,
leave,
lend,
let,
owe,
pardon,
pass,
pay,
refund,
refuse,
remit,
restore,
sell,
send,
show,
sing,
spare,
teach,
tell,
throw,
toss,
vouchsafe.
Pronouns are commoner as indirect objects than nouns.