Here's a breakdown:
* Direct object: The noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. It answers the question "what?" or "whom?"
* Example: "She baked a cake." (Cake is the direct object; she baked what?)
* Indirect object: The noun or pronoun that is indirectly affected by the action of the verb. It answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?" It usually comes between the verb and the direct object.
* Example: "She gave him a cake." (Him is the indirect object; she gave the cake to whom?)
Important note: While direct and indirect objects are nouns or pronouns, they are not simply nouns or pronouns. They are nouns or pronouns that are performing a specific grammatical function in the sentence.