Indirect objects, direct objects and objects of a preposition

Question

An enthusiastic volunteer spoke to Gerald and (me or I).  I think the answer is me.  How do I tell if it is an indirect or direct object or an object of a preposition?  Is there a rule to follow to tell?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

(1) Yes, you are 100% correct.

(a) A volunteer spoke TO Gerald and me.

(i) You know that "to" is a preposition. English has an easy rule: always (no exceptions) use the object form after a preposition: This is FOR you and him./This gift is FROM him and me./ They study English WITH us.

(b) The matter of direct and indirect object is a little more complicated. Here is one example:

I teach him English. What do I teach? English. (direct object); What person learns from me? Him. (indirect object). Many times there is a little test to prove that you have the indirect object. Can I say: I teach English TO him? Yes, I can. So that's proof that "him" is the indirect object. (Of course, I CANNOT say: I teach him TO English. So "English" cannot be the indirect object in that sentence.)

Indirect objects, direct objects and objects of a preposition

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