Indirect object

AnonymousCan you have an indirect object without a direct object being either stated or implied?

I don't think so. I can't think of an example.

AnonymousAlso, in the sentence "I put the plate on the table" is on the table an indirect object?

No, it's a prepositional phrase with the function of an adverb.

“How do transitive and intransitive verbs affect the direct and indirect object?”

Transitive verbs are usually followed by an indirect object which comes before a direct one: I've bought John a present/I sent Jill a postcard. You can reverse the order of objects following a verb but you need prepositions 'to' or 'for' to do that: I've bought a present for John/I sent a postcard

When transitive verbs take objects, the inanimate one is considered indirect and the animate one is regarded as direct one.

If the verb is followed by the direct object, the preposition is need, but if it is followed by the indirect object, no preposition is needed.

I gave him a book- in this example the animate object,him, is the indirect object and the inanimate object,book, is

"For some verbs, the indirect object must follow the verb and the direct object cannot follow the verb;

Ex. He helped me with my homework. You cannot say He helped my homework to me.

Ex. They provided us with enough supplies. They provided enough supplies for us.

note that in these examples, despite the adjacency of indirect object with transitive verb, preposition is ne

AnonymousI disagree with this interpretation. In both examples, i.e. He helped me with my homework and They provided us with enough supplies the pronouns 'me' and 'us' are direct objects while 'my homework' and 'enough supply' are indirect ones. In other words: I was the direct receiver of the help, hence the direct object 'me' and we were the direct objects of the provis

hrsaneiWhen transitive verbs take objects, the inanimate one is considered indirect and the animate one is regarded as direct one.

No, inanimate things can be either indirect or direct objects. The same is true for animate things, although the more frequent pattern is that the animate thing is the indirect object.

They gave the house (indirect)

AlpheccaStars

Anonymous[.He helped me with my homework.Me is the direct object - it receives (directly) the action of the verb. An indirect object can be rewritten as a prepositional phrase with to or for.You cannot write * he helped to me.

you said that in the sentence "He provided us supplies" us is the indirect obj

Thank you, AlpheccaStars, for your useful reply and for the link.

hrsaneiyou said that in the sentence "He provided us supplies" us is the indirect object. This explanation is in apparant contradiction with what you said above. An indirect object can be rewritten as a prepositional phrase with to or for.You cannot write * he provided to us. so us is not an indirect object.
Regards

It is perfectly OK to write:

He

Oh I see.

Thanks for your help and time.