There are many English words, or ingredients, that change form to function in different roles. A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. In the same way, verbs and personal pronouns can transform into forms that no longer look like their original shape.

For Example:

• I see Jane.
• Jane sees me.

The pronoun changes from “I” to “me” because its job in the sentence changes.

In English, personal pronouns have two cases:

• Subjective case
• Objective case

A pronoun in the subjective case functions as the subject of a sentence or clause.

A pronoun in the objective case can function as:

• a direct object
• an indirect object
• the object of a preposition

Later, we will explore prepositions. In this lesson, we are focusing on objective case personal pronouns as direct and indirect objects.

Understanding Objects

In grammar, the term object can refer to different roles depending on the context:

• When discussing verb complements, object refers to:
  • direct objects
  • indirect objects
• When discussing pronouns, object refers to pronouns in objective case that function as:
  • direct objects
  • indirect objects
  • objects of prepositions

What Is an Indirect Object?

An indirect object receives the direct object.

It answers the questions:

• To whom?
• To what?
• For whom?
• For what?

Subjective Case and Objective Case Personal Pronouns

		Subjective case	Objective case
Singular	1st person	I	me
	2nd person	you	you
	3rd person	he, she, it	him, her, it
Plural	1st person	we	us
	2nd person	you	you
	3rd person	they	them

Example Transformation

Without an indirect object:

• Gabby sends a card.

With an indirect object:

• Gabby sends Jane a card.

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Advanced Thinker: Pronominal Restrictions

Unnatural: Gabby sends her it.

Natural: Gabby sends it to her.

Rule: When both the direct object and indirect object are pronouns, use the “to” prepositional phrase, or change one of the pronouns back into a noun.

Why?

Pronouns are considered light words.

A light word is usually:

• short
• unstressed
• already known from context
• less specific than a noun phrase

For example, if we say “her” and “it,” the speaker and listener probably already know who “her” refers to and what “it” refers to. Because both words are light, English often avoids placing them side by side in the double-object construction. Linguists call this kind of restriction a pronominal restriction.  

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Replacing Nouns with Pronouns

We can replace “Jane” and “a card” with objective case pronouns:

• Gabby sends her a card.

her = indirect object

• Gabby sends it.

it = direct object

Ditransitive Verbs

Ditransitive verbs are verbs that take both:

• an indirect object
• a direct object.

Comparing Noun and Pronoun Jobs

Charts are helpful, but they don’t show every possibility. Different grammar books go into different depths. Keep exploring—grammar is like a giant puzzle waiting to be solved. 

Noun Jobs	Pronoun Jobs
1. Subject	1. Subject
2. Direct Object	2. Direct Object
3. Indirect Object	3. Indirect Object
4. Predicate Noun	4. Predicate Noun
5. Object of a preposition	5. Object of a preposition

Boxing in Phrases

Use a red box for noun phrases and pronouns that replace a noun phrase.

Words of Wisdom

“Putting words to your moral compass allows others to know you.”