Object of Verbs

In terms of grammar, an object of a verb completes a clause structure. The most common example that includes an object of a verb is the subject-verb-object structure (SVO). Many sentences in English, many clauses in English are examples of this structure. In such structures, the action of the verb affects any objects of that verb. Each of the following example sentences has an object in it. In each example, which word is the object and how do you know?

He plays piano.

She painted the door last week.

I often ask how they are.

In the first example sentence, the action of the verb “plays” affects “piano,” a common noun that functions as the object of the verb, “plays.” In addition, to determine the object of the verb in this sentence we ask, “What does he play?” In our question, “he…does…play” is the subject-verb combination, and “What” represents the object. Therefore, the correct answer to the question reveals the object of the verb. As “piano” is the answer to the question, “piano” is the object of the verb. So, the first example sentence illustrates the subject-verb-object structure (SVO) with “He” as the subject, “plays” as the verb, and “piano” as the object of the verb.

In the second example, the action of the verb “painted” affects “door,” which is a common noun that functions as the object of the verb, “painted.” In addition, to determine the object of the verb in this sentence we ask, “What did she paint yesterday?” In our question, “she…did…paint” is the subject-verb combination, and “What” represents the object. Therefore, the correct answer should reveal the object of the verb. As “door” is the answer to the question, “door” must be the object of the verb. So, the second example sentence illustrates the subject-verb-object structure (SVO) with “She” as the subject, “painted” as the verb, and “wall” as the object of the verb.

In the third example, the action of the verb affects “how they are,” which is a noun clause that functions as the object of the verb, “ask.” In addition, to determine the object of the verb in this sentence we ask, “What do you often ask?” In our question, “you…do…ask” is the subject-verb combination and again “What” represents the object. As “how they are” is the answer to the question, “how they are” must be the object of the verb. So, the third example sentence illustrates the subject-verb-object structure (SVO) with “I” as the subject, “ask” as the verb, and “how they are” as the object of the verb.

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