How to identify direct and nondirect objects?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Direct objects are the objects being directly addressed; usually they come first within the sentence or phrase they're used in. (Note that they don't have to come first all the time.) Indirect objects are the objects being indirectly addressed.

Example:
"She was looking at the sandals longingly."
Direct object: The sandals, because they are mentioned explicitly.
Indirect object: She, because her identity is not known.

Now, if we were to switch the direct object and indirect object around...
"Amy was looking at them longingly."
Direct object: Amy, because now we know her name, at the very least.
Indirect object: The sandals are referred to as "them". If they were not mentioned beforehand, then nobody would have an idea on what "them" refers to.

It's important to make sure that you clarify an object beforehand if you are later on going to mention it indirectly. Hope that helps! (^_^)