When a noun or pronoun functions as the object to a verb or a preposition in a sentence, it is classified as being in the Objective Case. The object is discovered by asking the questions "whom?" or "what?" with the verb.
What are the Different Kinds of Objects?
Objects in English grammar can take several distinct forms depending on their relationship with the verb and sentence structure. Understanding these various types helps master English sentence structure and syntax.
(a) Direct Object or Accusative; Indirect Object or Dative
Some transitive verbs (tell, give, ask, teach, etc.) take two objects:
- One of these is direct and is called the Direct Object or Accusative.
- The other is indirect and is called the Indirect Object or Dative.
The former is generally a thing; the latter is generally a person or an animal:
- He gave me (Ind. Obj.) a book (Dir. Object).
- I told him (Ind. Obj.) this (Dir. Obj.).
(b) What is a Retained Object?
Some transitive verbs take two objects in the active voice. In the passive, one of these becomes the subject, but the other is retained as object and is called the Retained Object:
- He was given a book.
(c) What is a Cognate Object?
The object of an intransitive verb of kindred meaning or sense is called a Cognate Object:
- I ran a race.
- He lived a pure life.
(d) What is a Factitive Object?
A transitive verb (usually of naming, making, and thinking) sometimes requires, besides its object, some other word, usually denoting office or rank, to make the sense complete. This word is called the Factitive Object:
- He called me a fool.
- I took him prisoner.
(e) What is the Reflexive or Personal Object or Reflexive Dative?
In old English, intransitive verbs were sometimes followed by an object of the personal pronoun of the same person as the subject. This object was called Reflexive or Personal Object or Reflexive Dative:
- Sit thee down.
- Get thee gone.
(f) What is the Dative of Interest or Ethical Dative?
The Indirect Object which is sometimes placed after verbs, usually taking either no object or only a direct object, in order to express the interest of some person in the action of the verb, is called the Dative of Interest: Pluck me a flower.
(g) What is an Adverbial Object?
A noun in the objective case is sometimes used adverbially to denote distance, place, time, value, amount, weight, or manner; this objec is called the Adverbial Object:
- The school is one mile from here.
- This cost me three rupees.
- He was there ten years.
- He went home.
- He was bound hand and foot.
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Key Takeaways
- A noun or pronoun is in the Objective Case when it functions as the object to a verb or a preposition.
- Objects can be found by asking the questions "whom?" or "what?" with the verb.
- There are multiple kinds of objects, including Direct, Indirect, Retained, Cognate, Factitive, Reflexive, Dative of Interest, and Adverbial objects.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding by writing your own sentence containing a Direct Object and an Indirect Object in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Objective Case?
When a noun or pronoun acts as the object to a verb or a preposition within a sentence, it is considered to be in the Objective Case.
How do you find an object in a sentence?
You can find the object by asking the question "whom?" or "what?" with the verb in the sentence.
What is a Cognate Object?
A Cognate Object is the object of an intransitive verb that shares a kindred meaning or sense with the verb itself, such as "I ran a race."