The Indirect Object

The Indirect Object Test for identifying indirect objects in English An indirect object requires the presence of a direct object. An indirect object is the NP that precedes the direct object. I passed Kimindir.obj [the ball]dir.obj Usually, an indirect object can appear as an oblique to-PP complement. Note: for many grammarians, such to-PPs are also often called indirect objects. I passed Kim the salt. -> I passed the salt to Kim. I passed Kim the salt. -> *I passed Kim to the salt. Passivization: An indirect object can be passivized, with the direct object remaining an accusative NP. If the direct object is passivized, the indirect object must appear as an oblique complement. I passed Kim the salt. -> Kim was passed the salt. I passed Kim the salt. -> The salt was passed *(to) Kim. Categories and structural position The indirect object is an NP in accusative case It is a sister of V and NP and dominated by a VP. Example:

             _S_
            /   \
           /     AuxP
          /     /    \
       subj    /   ___VP___
        /     /   /  \     \
       /     /   / ind.obj dir.obj
      /     /   /    |       \
    NP   Aux   V    NP      __NP__
   /__\   |    |   /__\    /______\
   Pat  will pass  Kim     the salt.