Question

ENGLISH GRAMMAR Q. "Call me direct if you have any problems." - I'm trying to work out the direct object of this sentence. I know that an object should be able to answer a what?/who? Q. after the main verb. So, my reckonings are: 'Call' is the main verb, which makes 'me' the indirect object, and 'direct' the direct object. Is this correct? Thanks.

Answer 1

Ok for the definition, but your answer contradicts your own definition of the direct object.

Tip: use the who? what? question again.

Hint: there are 2 direct objects in this sentence.

Answer 2

Hi Vincent, thx for your reply,

My definition was for a general object of a sentence, my problem is working out which one is which.

Indirect: A noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of a verb in a sentence is performed.

Direct: A noun or pronoun in a sentence that receives the action of a transitive verb.

By those definitions, wouldn't 'me' be for whom the action 'call' is performed, therefore be an Indirect object? But, as to your answer, 'me' also receives the action of the transitive verb 'call', so it fits both definitions.

Can you tell how confused I am? :)

Answer 3

You are confused, because the definition that was given to you is not operational: it is too abstract to be of any use to a learner.

Use rather the following:

Is there (or could there be) a preposition between the verb and the object?
If yes: Indirect
If no : Direct


Examples :

I see a flower —> no prep. hence 'flower' direct object (noun)
I see him —> no prep. hence 'him' direct object (pronoun)
I have a book —> no prep. hence 'book' direct object (noun)

I think of my mother —> prep. (of) hence 'mother' indirect object
I think of you —> prep. (of) hence 'you' indirect object

I gave a book to my mother
'book' is direct object and 'my mother' in indirect.

The tricky example is:

I gave him the book
'book' is the direct object
'him' is indirect because, if 'unfolded', the sentence would be
I gave the book TO him (with a preposition).

I bought my sister a necklace = I bought a necklace to/for my sister.
Do you understand?

Now, let's go back to your sentence:
Call me direct if you have any problems

There are two direct objects in this sentence:
'me' is direct object of the verb 'to call'
'any problems' is direct object of the verb 'to have'

Answer 4

Thank you, Vincent. That explanation was wonderful.