Object
Cognate object
Retained objectIndirect object
Direct object
Recipient
Non-recipient
Non-prep.
Non-prep.
Prep.
Prep.
Non-prep.
Non-prep.
The direct object
§ 70. The direct object is used irrespective of the absence or presence of other objects attached to the same verb.
He wrote the article two weeks ago. Tommie did not know anything about it. Ned ordered him to start.
Some English verbs which take a direct object correspond to Russian verbs followed by an indirect non-recipient object with a preposition. These verbs are:
to address smb обращаться к кому-либо
to affect smb, smth влиять на кого-либо, что-либо
to answer smth отвечать на что-либо
to approach smb, smth подойти, приблизиться к кому-либо, чему-либо
to alt end smth присутствовать на чем-либо
to enjoy smth получать удовольствие от чего-либо
to enter smth ходить во что-либо
to follow smb, smth следовать за кем-либо, чем-либо
to join smb, smth присоединяться к кому-либо, чему-либо
to mount smth есть верхом, взобраться на что-либо
to need smth, smb нуждаться в чем-либо, ком-либо
to play smth играть на чем-либо, во что-либо
to reach smth дойти, достать до чего-либо
to watch smb, smth следить за кем-либо, чем-либо
The position of the direct object
§ 71. The most usual position of the direct object is that immediately After the predicate verb it refers to.
Then he found her in the hall.
The direct object is separated from the predicate verb in the following cases:
1. If there is a non-prepositional indirect recipient object to the same verb in the sentence. In this case the direct object follows the indirect one.
I never told him anything.
2. If the direct object is modified by a phrase or a clause. In this case it may be separated from the verb by a prepositional indirect non-recipient object or an adverbial.
Ged had kept for his winter journey the cloak lined with fur.
He took into his hands a small beast.
3. If the direct object is expressed by a noun or a pronoun (except a personal pronoun) referring to a phrasal predicate verb consisting of a verbal part and a postposition such as about, back, down, in, off, on, out, over, through, up.
He laid down his stick.
Ged took off his cloak that was heavy with water.
With most of those verbs, however, the direct object may also precede the adverb.
He laid down his stick. = He laid his stick down.
If expressed by a personal pronoun, the direct object always precedes the postposition.
lie laid down his stick, — He laid it down.
§ 72. The direct object comes before the predicate verb it refers to in the following cases:
1. In pronominal questions referring to the direct object or to its attribute.
What did they give you?
Whose car was he driving?
Which piece shall I take?
2. In certain exclamatory sentences.
What a wonderful boat he has built!
3. In case it is necessary to connect the idea expressed in this sentence with the preceding one. This makes the object more emphatic.
The people of the village gathered in silence to watch his quick hands.
This job too he did well and patiently.
4. For the sake of emphasis or contrast.
I enjoyed arithmetic, as always. Grammar I could not understand in the least.
The indirect object
The indirect recipient object
§ 73. As has been mentioned above, the indirect recipient object is used mainly with transitive verbs, which thus take two objects, and are accordingly called ditransitive. Verbs governing the indirect recipient object fall into two classes, which in accordance with their general semantics are called verbs of benefaction and verbs of inducement.
Verbs of benefaction denote an action that is addressed to a person or is done for that person's sake or benefit.
First she gave him his supper.
I've bought a pair of beautiful earrings for you, dear.
Verbs of inducement denote an action which causes a person to do some other action.
Ann told him to leave her alone.
I beg you to forgive me.