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direct object
noun
- a word or group of words representing the person or thing upon which the action of a verb is performed or toward which it is directed: in English, generally coming after the verb, without a preposition. In He saw it the pronoun it is the direct object of saw.
direct object
noun
- grammar a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase whose referent receives the direct action of a verb. For example, a book is the direct object in the sentence They bought Anne a book Compare indirect object
direct object
- A noun , pronoun , or group of words serving as the receiving end of an action, such as the ball in “Tabitha hit the ball.” A direct object can be a word, phrase , or clause : “Sam chose Rusty to play shortstop”; “I will never understand why he came home .” ( Compare indirect object .)
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Word History and Origins
Origin of direct object1
First recorded in 1900–05
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Compare Meanings
How does direct object compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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