Example of Sentences With Indirect Modifiers

The indirect modifier, also know as indirect object or indirect object, is a part of the sentence that tells us who or what is the beneficiary or recipientof the action expressed by the verb. It is known as a modifier or complement since within a sentence it does not work independently, but rather adds certain information that completes the expressed idea.

The indirect modifier, then, expresses in a sentence to whom the action of the verb is directed. It is composed of a word or a set of words that are recipients of said action. This verb complement does not always appear only in sentences, but there are usually other types of complements which together enrich the idea: the direct object, the circumstance complements, the agent complements, etc.

In order to identify direct modifiers within sentences, we can distinguish them because answer the following questions:

• To what + verb?
• Who / whom + verb?

Likewise, we can more easily identify the indirect modifier because it can be substituted for indirect object pronouns you or them.

Let's see some examples explained:

• His parents gave away (verb) to his son (indirect object) a little Labrador puppy.
  The indirect object of the sentence is the phrase to his son, which is the recipient of the action of the verb: Who did they give away to? This phrase, being the indirect modifier, can be replaced by the pronoun you: "His parents you they gave a small labrador puppy ".

• We change (verb) the rear tire to the neighbor's car (indirect object) because she was struck out.
  The indirect modifier of the sentence is the phrase to the neighbor's car; said object is the recipient of the action of the verb: Who did they change? This phrase, being the indirect modifier, can be replaced by the pronoun you: “You we changed the rear tire because it was flat ”.

• I asked (verb) to Adrián (indirect complement) to be presented in my office.
  The indirect object of the sentence is the phrase to Adrián, which is the recipient of the action of the verb: Who did i ask? This phrase, being the indirect modifier, can be replaced by the pronoun you: “You I asked him to come to my office ”.

How are indirect modifiers formed in sentences?

The indirect modifier function or indirect object can appear in two different ways within a sentence. Each of these ways in which we can find indirect modifiers are explained below.

a) Indirect modifier formed by an unstressed pronoun

The indirect modifier function can be exercised within a sentence by any of the unstressed pronouns. They are known as unstressed since they are not pronounced with intensity of voice; they do not have a prosodic accent. Each of these pronouns refers to one of the grammatical people; so that indirectly tells us who is the recipient of the action.

The indirect object unstressed pronouns are me, te, le, les, nos. Let's see in the following table how each of these pronouns corresponds to one of the grammatical persons:

In the case of the pronoun you, whose plural is them, this will always be an indirect modifier since it is an indirect object pronoun. This is why one of the ways to identify the indirect object is by replacing it with this pronoun.

b) Indirect modifier formed by a prepositional phrase headed by the preposition to

The indirect modifier function can be exercised within a sentence by a prepositional phrase whose nucleus is the preposition to, that is, by a group of words whose central element is said preposition. In this case, unlike unstressed pronouns, the Indirect modifier expresses more specifically who or what the receiver is that is benefited or affected by the action of the verb.

Not alwaysa prepositional phrase with the preposition to as core works as an indirect modifier. Sometimes it can also serve as the direct modifier. This is why care has to be taken when identifying it. The direct object, unlike the indirect, complements the idea of ​​the verb by telling us what the action falls on; answer the question What + verb? and can be substituted for direct object pronouns lo, la, los, las. For example in the sentence "I scolded my dog" the phrase To my dog it works as a direct modifier and not as an indirect modifier. Answer the question What did I scold? and can be replaced by a direct object pronoun: "It I scolded ”.

Let's look at some examples of prepositional phrases that work as indirect modifiers:

• We gave him (verb) to eat to the cat (indirect modifier) ​​because he was meowing.

The indirect modifier of this sentence is the phrase to the cat, which is the recipient of the action we gave. Answer the question Who did we give? It can be replaced by the pronoun him: We fed him because he was meowing.

• We share (verb) to our friends (indirect modifier) ​​the news of the wedding.

The indirect modifier of this sentence is the phrase to our friends, which is the recipient of the action we share. Answer the question Who do we share? It can be replaced by the pronoun them: We share the news of the wedding.

100 Examples of sentences with indirect modifiers:

40 Examples of sentences with unstressed pronouns as indirect modifiers:

1. You we asked the doubts that we had left from the lesson.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we ask?

1. The doctor I He advised that everything had gone well in the operation.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he notify?

1. Us He is excited for you to meet us today.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who does it excite?

1. Tea They asked you to hand over your license because you were speeding.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they ask?

1. Not them I said well all the reasons that I should have told them.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I say?

1. Sometimes I children's ability to infer things is surprising.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who is surprised?

1. Tea I will have to remember a day before because you always forget everything.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who will I have to remember?

1. The bosses us they reported the changes on very short notice.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they inform?

1. You He did damage the food he ate last night.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he do?

1. To the project managers them we show the advances we already had.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we teach?

1. I I bought a new cell phone that has much more memory capacity and quality in the camera.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i buy from?

1. Tea I love you very much because you are one of the most important people in my life.
   The indirect modifier answers the question who I love?

1. Us he was very excited that we had received that recognition.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did it excite?

1. You I changed the wallpaper to my computer for a more relaxing one.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I change?

1. Me them I said what they had to do but they didn't really want to listen to me.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I say?
   

1. I I got a TV much cheaper than the normal price.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i get?

1. Tea I bought some boots that were on sale.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i buy from?

1. Not us they reported well what was happening.
   The indirect modifier answers the question To whom did they inform?

1. The shirt you It was too big because it is two sizes bigger than hers.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who was left?

1. Them horror and horror movies scare.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do they scare?

1. I I changed the clothes because it was very dirty.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I change?

1. Me tea I forgave even though your offense towards me was very serious.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I forgive?

1. Us they hid the truth because they didn't want us to get involved in the conflict.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they hide?

1. You shot in the leg during the bank robbery altercation.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who was shot?

1. Them They asked them to confirm their identity and to show their official IDs.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they ask?

1. I They recognized my service to the institution with recognition for my career.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they recognize?

1. The drawing you made in oil tea it turned out really good.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did it go out to?

1. Us It was very hot because the place was very closed and there were many people.
   The indirect modifier answers the question To whom did he give?

1. The victory you it tasted very well as it was a well deserved victory.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did you know?

1. This spoiled food them caused stomach pain and nausea.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did it cause?

1. I they gave a complete medical report of what had happened to the patient.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they deliver to?

1. Tea I asked you to call me because I had something important to tell you.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i ask?

1. Us we asked if the decision we had made was the correct one.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we ask?

1. You They delivered a copy of the interview on a DVD and also in digital format.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they deliver to?

1. Them they confessed to the criminal acts after several hours of interrogation.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they confess to?

1. I I wiped the sweat from my forehead, it was very noticeable.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I dry?

1. Tea I read the thought just by looking at the expression that had been reflected on your face.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i read

1. Us They lost the copy of the car keys at the agency, when we took it to fix it.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they lose?

1. You I gave my sister an old television that I no longer needed.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I give away to?

1. You I installed a program to create presentations and slides on the computer.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did i install?

1. Not I you warned that you were already on your way home.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i notify?

1. Me tea I realized that it was dangerous that you were doing those pirouettes.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did i warn?

1. Us they believed because our version seemed reliable.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they believe?

1. You I changed the oil to the car's engine because it was old.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did I switch to?

1. I do them I turned in the work on time, but they didn't pay me on time.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I deliver to?

1. The mosquito I he stung my arm and left a large welt.
   The indirect modifier of both sentences answers the question Who did it bite? / Who did he leave?

1. Tea I got pimples on my back due to your allergy.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they go out to?

1. Us they showed the progress they had made in construction.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they show?

1. You I switched the spotlight to the living room kitchen because it had burned out.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did I switch to?

1. Them I asked what they were doing.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I ask?

50 Examples of sentences with a prepositional phrase as an indirect modifier

1. We request to all our clients They understand the delay in shipments.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we request?: all our clients.

1. We ask to the authorities to give us an explanation of the events.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we ask?: the authorities.

1. We help to Juan to open his email account.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we help?: Juan.

1. I changed the protector to my cellphone because the one I had was old.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did I change to?: to my cell phone.

1. The directed to the authoritiesof the University a letter to be awarded the scholarship.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he address?: the university authorities.

1. I cooked him to my shirt one of the buttons that were broken.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did I sew for?: to my shirt.

1. We made a joke on him to one of our co-workers, which she didn't like at all.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did we do?: One of our co-workers.

1. They organized him to Francisco a surprise birthday party for next Saturday.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they organize?: Francisco.

1. They just called us U.S to join the team.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they call?: us.

1. The teacher corrected several errors of the work to the students in the class.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he correct?: the students in the class.

1. I helped him to Rosa to get a book off the shelf because she couldn't reach it.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I help?: Rosa.

1. Before cutting the cake we all sing him happy birthday to the celebrated. The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we sing to?: the celebrant.
2. I helped him to my friend to clean her house before all the meeting guests arrived.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I help?: my friend.

1. I passed him to the other diner the jar of salt he had asked for.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I pass to?: the other diner.

1. They cleaned his face to the kid with a wet washcloth because it was full of dirt.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they clean?: the child.

1. I caused laughter to all attendees With the jokes that I've been telling
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I provoke?: all the attendees.

1. I shook out the rugs to the truck to remove the dust.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did I shake him for?: the truck.

1. A child took away to the other child one of his toys and that's why they fought.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he take away?: the other child.

1. I made him smile to the baby when I started to make gestures to him.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I provoke?: the baby.

1. To Diana They changed the prescription of her glasses because she never wore them.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they change the graduation to?: Diana.

1. The director asked them to the partners to raise their hand if they agreed with the resolution.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he ask?: the partners

1. I invited yesterday to some friends to eat at my house.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I invite?: to some friends.

1. I changed the channel to the television because I was getting bored with that show.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did I change the channel to?: to television.

1. Ernesto confessed to him to their parents that she had misplaced her school backpack.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he confess to?: His parents.

1. We put several fruits to the cake to finish decorating it.
   The indirect modifier answers the question What did we put?: the cake.

1. To Jose He had a strong urge to go to the bathroom on the street.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they enter?: José.

1. Mom still washes his shirts to his son, who is almost thirty years old.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do you wash?: Her son.

1. We had to fix the whole front to my sister's car after her accident.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did they fix?: my sister.

1. The doctor asked him to the sick one explain all the symptoms he had been feeling.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he ask?: the nurse.

1. I held the talk to a menthat I found on the street for almost two hours.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I support?: a man I met on the street.

1. I bought him to the girl various candies he was selling for a project at hers school.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I buy from?: the girl.

1. I told to the teacher all the things he disagreed with her on.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I tell?: the teacher.

1. I wrote him down to my friend my address in a message so you won't forget it.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I sign up for? My friend.

1. She loves deeply all your pets: has two cats and two dogs.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who does he love?: all his pets.

1. The boss asked him To all employees that they will give you a report with the monthly results.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he ask? All employees.

1. I won to my brother in the video game where he boasts of being the best.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I beat?: my brother.

1. The doctors healed his wound to the patient who came to the emergency room asking for help.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who was cured? The patient who came to the emergency room asking for help.

1. I sent you greetings to all my relatives at Christmas from where I was working outside the country.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I send them to?: all my family members.

1. To his mother she changed the look of her face when she told him she was leaving the house.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did it change?: Her mother.

1. We all help you to Cassandra to fix her house after it was a mess after the party.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who do we help?: Cassandra.

1. I made such a good proposal to the clients that I doubt that they will reject it.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I do?: Customers.

1. Civil protection asked them to the people in the building to be evacuated because there was a dangerous leak.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he ask?: the people in the building.

1. He asked the girl who liked her number to call him and go out together.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he ask?: the girl he liked.
2. She dedicated a romantic song to him To her boyfriend the day they were together for a year.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he dedicate to?: Her boyfriend.

1. She practiced mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to the person who was drowning on the beach.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he practice on?: the person who was drowning on the beach.

1. She brought him several clothes to the seamstress for her to fix.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I take him to?: the seamstress.

1. To my sister last month I managed to get him a job where I work.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did I manage to get? My sister.

1. The workshop assistant told him emerging writers his comments on the texts.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he tell? Emerging writers.

1. The graphic designer handed them to the clients three different logo proposals.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did it deliver to? Customers.

1. The dentist gave him anesthesia to the woman he was about to remove a tooth.
   The indirect modifier answers the question Who did he put?: the woman who was about to remove a tooth.