Kinds of objects

There are three kinds of objects in English: the direct object, the indirect object, and the cognate object.

The direct object.

The direct object is used after transitive verbs with which it is closely connected as it denotes a person or thing directly affected by the action of the verb. It is used without any preposition.

Again I moved my head negatively. (Braddon)

If we compare Russian and English we shall see that in English there are more verbs taking a direct object than in Russian. This is due to the loss of case inflexions in English, the result of which is that the old Accusative and Dative have assumed the same form.

Thus, if a transitive verb takes only one object expressed by a noun or pronoun without a preposition, it is always a direct object.

I help my brother in his work.

Consequently very often the indirect object in Russian corresponds to the direct object in English.

I helped him. Я помогал ему.

I envied him. Я завидовал ему.

It should be kept in mind that sometimes the prepositional object in Russian also corresponds to the direct object in English.

Он сел на лошадь. Не mounted the horse.

Он играет в шахматы. Не plays chess.

There are a few English verbs which can have two direct objects.

I asked him his name.

Forgive me this question.

She taught them French.