indirect object

An indirect object is a noun, pronoun, or phrase that receives the direct object of a verb. It indicates who or what the action of the verb is performed for or directed towards. For example, in the sentence "She bought him a present," "him" is the indirect object, and "a present" is the direct object.1

Verbs that can take indirect objects are called ditransitive verbs. In simple sentences with a second pattern, there are two complements: an inner complement and an outer complement. When the inner complement is an indirect object and the outer complement is a direct object, it follows the structure: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object. For instance, in "John gives Mary a ring," "Mary" is the indirect object and "a ring" is the direct object.12