The answer to understand which one is which is by taking a look at the question that you can answer with that information.
It gives you variety and allows you create your sentences in more diverse ways.
I gave the money to my brother. I gave my brother the money.
*Give it to me. ***Give me “that”.
She bought lunch for you. She bought you lunch.
Switching the objects helps you sound more natural and fluent.
Switch the “objects” in the following sentences
My mom bought me some candies.
Direct object: Some candies Indirect object: I
Switch: My mom bought some candies for me.
Please send this email to the boss.
Direct object: This email Indirect object: The boss
Switch: Please send the boss this email.
He gave Lucy a letter.
Direct object: A letter Indirect object: Lucy
Switch: He gave a letter to Lucy.
We have two different types of objects in a sentence:
Direct:
Answers the question: What?
She sent the mail to the teacher.
Indirect:
Answers the question: To whom?
She sent the main to the teacher.
Make sure that you don’t confuse complements with objects, they are not the same.
She is going alone. Complement
She is going to the restaurant. Object