Object – objet
Let's Define It!
What's an *object*?
What's a (grammatical) object? What does it mean for a word to be an object in a sentence?
For better clarity, let's look at the following two sentences with their object(s) underlined for convenience:
- Marie a mangé une banane. --> Mary ate a banana.
- Je parle anglais à mon prof de science. I am speaking French to my science teacher.
The underlined phrase in sentence 1 is a direct object, which means that these underlined words undergo the direct action of the verb. Thus, there is no separation between the verb and these words, usually no prepositions à, de, pour etc.
Meanwhile, the underlined phrase in sentence 2 is an indirect object, which means that these underlined words act as the beneficiary of the action of the verb and its direct object. French is the direct object, and the phrase mon prof de science is the indirect object of the verb parle. Notice how the preposition à stands between it and the verb.
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Let's Pronounce It!
What does it sound like in French?
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Let's Have an Example or Two!
Can a little reinforcement do the trick?
Find below sentences including their objects [direct and/or indirect] (inderlined for your convenience):
- Je regarde un film maintenant. I am watching a movie now. (direct object)
- Elle connaît un bon café dans ce quartier. She knows a good cafe in this neighborhood.
- Il envoie une lettre à sa petite amie. He is sending a letter to his girlfriend. (Direct and indirect objects)
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