Indirect object vs. Direct object

In a sentence, when the predicate consists of a verb followed by a noun that identifies who or what receives the action of the verb, that noun is the direct object. So, in "The earthquake destroyed the city," the city is the direct object. The direct object is the noun 'governed' by a transitive verb. In a sentence, when the predicate consists of a verb followed by two nouns, then one is the indirect object, identifying to or for whom the action of the verb is performed. So, in "The government sent the city aid," the city is the indirect object and aid is the direct object. The indirect object is related to either a transitive or intransitive verb. The indirect object is the person (or place or thing) affected by the occurrence of an action, although not directly or primarily acted on. The direct object and indirect object refer to different people, places, or things. Other examples are: Businesses gave the museum money. / One company offered its employees bonuses. The indirect objects in these are the museum, its employees. The direct objects are money, bonuses. A number of verbs can take indirect objects (such as allow, bring, buy, deny, find, get, give, leave, make, offer, pay , read, sell, send, show, teach, and write). With some verbs, the indirect object must be turned into a phrase beginning with to or for, as in: admit, announce, demonstrate, explain, introduce, mention, prove, recommend, say, and suggest. Examples are: The booklet explains the new system to workers. / The workshop recommended journal-keeping for participants.