The Direct Object

The Direct Object Test for identifying direct objects in English Passivization: The direct object of an active sentence appears as the subject in a passive sentence. Active: Pat wrote a letter. Passive: A letter was written by Pat. post-verbal NPs that are not direct objects do not passivize: Pat will always remain a good friend.

• A good friend will always be remained by Pat.

Categories and structural position The direct object is an NP in accusative case. It can also be an S'. It is a sister of V and dominated by a VP. A direct object that is an S' can be identified by the following criteria: The S' can be replaced with this, such that this satisfies the criteria for an NP direct object: Pat thinks [S': that Kim is late], and I think this, too. Passivization is possible: Pat believes [S': that Kim is late]. -> [S':That Kim is late] is believed (by Pat). Example:

             _S_
            /   \
           /    AuxP
          /     /  \
       subj    /   VP
        /     /   /  \
       /     /   /  dir.obj
      /     /   /      \
    NP   Aux   V     __NP__
   /__\   |    |    /______\
   Pat  will write  a letter.