Position of the Object in the Sentence
The usual position of the object in declarative sentences is after the predicate, however, in exclamatory sentences the direct object may occupy the first place. What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest! (Wilde) This position of the object generally does not cause inversion, except in poetry, high prose, and negative exclamatory sentences. Thee would I spare — nay more — would save thee now! (Byron) Passage after passage did he explore, room after room did he peep into!(Dickens) In declarative sentences the front position of the object serves the purpose of emphasis. A fearful voyage I had with such [...]
Differentiating between Adverbial Modifier and other Parts of Sentence
It is not always easy to discriminate between different parts of the sentence expressed by prepositional phrases. The following parts of the sentence are apt to be confusing: a prepositional indirect object and an adverbial modifier; an attribute and an adverbial modifier. #1. A prepositional indirect object and an adverbial modifier of place and manner. Kate removed her eyes from the window and gazed directly at Papa. (Cronin) Decimus had been born in Rome. (Douglas) In the first example, the prepositional phrase at Papa is a pre; positional indirect object as the noun denotes a living being. In the second [...]
Complex Object
The direct and the prepositional indirect object may be simple and complex. The complex object consists of two components, of which the second stands in predicate relation to the first. The two components form an indivisible unit and consequently must be regarded as one part of the sentence. The complex object can be non-prepositional and prepositional. I observed Agnes turn pale. (Dickens) Thus these two waited with impatience for the three years to be over. (Buck) The first component of the complex object is a noun in the common case or in the possessive case, a personal pronoun in the [...]
Cognate Object
There is a special kind of object in English that has the following peculiarities. It is used with intransitive verbs though it has no It is expressed by a noun that is either of the same root as the verb or is similar to it in meaning. It is almost regularly attended by an attribute with which it forms a combination that is close in meaning to an adverbial modifier: to live a happy life - to live happily. The cognate object is generally used in such combinations as: to smile a sad smile, to laugh a bitter laugh, to [...]
Indirect Object
The indirect object denotes a living being to whom the action of the verb is directed. There are also cases when it denotes a thing. There are two types of indirect object: The indirect object, which expresses the addressee of the action. The indirect object, which does not always express the addressee of the action. 1. The indirect object, which expresses the addressee of the action The indirect object of the first type, which expresses the addressee of the action. It is used with transitive verbs which take a direct object, so it hardly ever stands alone. She [...]
Direct Object
The direct object is used after transitive verbs with which it is closely connected as it denotes a person or thing directly affected by the action of the verb. It is used without any preposition. Again I moved my head negatively. (Braddon) Thus, if a transitive verb takes only one object expressed by a noun or pronoun without a preposition, it is always a direct object. I help my brother in his work.
Ways of expressing The Object
The object is expressed by the following parts of speech: #1. A noun in the common case. We ought to give him a present, too. (Mansfield) #2. A pronoun (personal in the objective case, possessive, defining, reflexive, demonstrative, indefinite). Cokane. Our little discussion has given me quite an appetite. Trench. It has taken mine away. (Shaw) “I must do my best for her,” thought Jolyon. (Galsworthy) You ought to know all about statues and things. (Galsworthy) What will you do with yourself? (Galsworthy) “Who gave you that?” he asked. (Bennett) ...she’s alone in the world, and she must have someone [...]
Object
The object is a secondary part of the sentence that completes or restricts the meaning of a verb or sometimes an adjective, a word denoting state, or a noun. Haviland closed the door. (Wilson) I was very proud of it. (Braddon) He had never liked Soames. He now held him responsible for Bosinney’s death. (Galsworthy) “You are afraid of dying,” said Bing. (Heym) There are three kinds of objects in English: the direct object, the indirect object, and the cognate object.