Can a direct object be before the verb?

Yes, a direct object can be placed before the verb in English, but it's not the most common word order. This is called inverted sentence structure.

Here are some examples:

* "The ball I caught." (This is unusual, and sounds a bit poetic or emphatic.)

* "A book she read." (Again, less common, but grammatically correct)

Here are some common situations where you might find the direct object before the verb:

* Questions: "What did you eat?"

* Emphatic statements: "This book I love."

* Literary or poetic language: "The stars she watched."

Remember that subject-verb-object (SVO) is the most common word order in English. However, understanding inverted structures can enhance your language skills and make you a more versatile writer.