What is an indirect object?

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that indicates to whom, for whom, to what, or for what the action of the verb is done.

Examples

1. In 1929, The Pulitzer Prize committee granted Willa Cather its award for literature.

Willa Cather is the indirect object because the name tells to whom the award was granted.

2. They gave One of Ours its top prize.

One of Ours is the indirect object because it indicates to what the prize was given.

Notice:

• There must be a direct object in the sentence in order for there to be an indirect object.
• Use objective pronouns when replacing indirect objects with pronouns.
• The preposition "to" is never in front of an indirect object. The preposition is always understood. If the preposition is present, the noun or pronoun is the object of the preposition, not an indirect object.
• Avoid using two pronouns in a row to replace the indirect object and the direct object. ("They gave her it.")