What is the Object Structure? Basic Knowledge about the Object Structure

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“Object” is one of the common grammatical structures in English. In this article, let’s quickly explore the definition, usage, and practice exercises related to the object structure with PREP!

object structure — What is the Object Structure? Basic Knowledge about the Object Structure

I. What is Object?
II. How to Use the Object Structure in English
III. What Prepositions Does "Object" Go With?
IV. Idioms and collocations Containing "Object"
1. 1. Object’s collocations
2. 2. Object’s idioms
V. Exercises Applying the Object Structure with Detailed Answers
1. 1. Exercise: Choose the correct answer from the following questions
2. 2. Answer keys

I. What is Object?

Object is pronounced /ˈɑːbdʒekt/ and functions as a noun and a verb.

As a noun, "object" refers to: a physical item, an entity, or a goal to be achieved. For example: Lily has a special collection of rare objects.
As a verb, "object" is used with the preposition "to," meaning: to oppose or disagree with someone/something. For example: The company’s employees object to working overtime at the weekend.

II. How to Use the Object Structure in English

How is the verb "object" used? Should you use "object to V" or "object to V-ing"? Let’s refer to the table below with PREP to find answers to some of these questions!

Object structure	Meaning	Formula	Example
Object to + V-ing	To oppose an issue or something	S + Object to + V-ing	My brother objects to getting up at 5 am.
Object To + Noun		S + Object to + Noun	She objects to the opinion of her classmate.
Object Against + N/V-ing		S + Object against + N/Ving	Miley objects against being called John’s assistant.
Object That + Clause		S + Object that + Clause	Candidates all over the country are objecting that universities will raise entrance exam scores too high next year.
Object to the idea	To oppose someone's opinion or idea	S + object to the idea + that + Clause	My grandparents objected to the idea that I would give up my current job to start a business.
Object to the notion	To oppose a viewpoint	S + object to the notion + that + Clause	Mary objects to the notion that people can do whatever they like even if it harms others.
Object to the use	To oppose a certain use or purpose	S + object to the use + of + N/ V-ing	Many people object to the use of taking a shower at night.

III. What Prepositions Does "Object" Go With?

Typically, the object structure is commonly accompanied by two prepositions: "to" and "against." What other prepositions can "object" go with? Let's explore!

What Prepositions Does "Object" Go With?	Structure	Usage and meaning	Example
Object (n) with the preposition of	Object + of + noun + …	When the preposition "of" is added to "object," it often indicates an "object" that: Evokes emotions in the subject of the sentence (longing, love, hate, rage, etc.) Creates a sense of obligation to act or make decisions (learning, research, absorption, etc.) These objects can be people or things (events, phenomena).	Her object of marriage is her childhood friend.
	Object + of + danh từ/cụm danh từ chỉ sự việc + be + to + …		The object of having clubs at school is to help students become more active.
	With the object of + V-ing		Scientists explore the forest with the object of finding rare species.
Object (v) with the preposition to	Object + of + noun phrase indicating an event + be + to + …	Expresses opposition or rejection to a certain decision or proposal.	All staff members objected to the decision about weekend work.
	Object to + V-ing +…	Expresses opposition or rejection to a specific action.	Children object to learning how to cook a meal.
	Object + to + O + V-ing + …	Expresses opposition to someone else's action or behavior.	Mary objects to his father going to work at the age of 75.

IV. Idioms and collocations Containing "Object"

Let's explore some common English idioms and collocations that contain the word "object" that you can use!

1. Object’s collocations

Object’s collocations	Meaning	Example
Archaeological object	Đối tượng khảo cổ	Dinosaur fossils have been archaeological objects of scientists for a long time.
Stellar object	Thiên thạch, thiên thể	Mars is one of the stellar objects in the solar system.
Celestial object	Thiên thạch, thiên thể	Mars is one of the celestial objects in the solar system.
Inanimate object	Vật thể vô tri vô giác	That weird inanimate object is just a leaf.
Solid/physical/material object	Vật thể rắn	A solid object has one shape and does not change easily.
Actual object	Đối tượng thực tế	The robots approach the mapped goal points first, and then, converge on the actual object.
Astronomical object	Vật thể thiên văn	They make aiming the telescope at an astronomical object easier.

2. Object’s idioms

Object’s idioms	Meaning	Example
Be no object	Không thành vấn đề, không cần lo lắng về một vấn đề gì đó vì bạn đã có đủ	I’ll take you out to play and eat something all day because time is no object. (Tôi sẽ đưa bạn đi chơi và ăn gì đó cả ngày vì chúng ta không cần lo lắng về vấn đề thời gian.)
Defeat the object	Ngăn cản ai đó đạt được mong muốn, ước mơ của họ, ngăn cản sự thành công.	It will defeat the object of having a pretty Chanel bag if you don’t pass the driving test. (Hy vọng có một chiếc túi Chanel xinh xắn sẽ tiêu tan nếu bạn không vượt qua được bài kiểm tra lái xe.)
Money is no object	Tiền không còn là vấn đề	They travel around Europe as if money were no object. (Họ đi du lịch khắp châu Âu như thể tiền không phải là vấn đề.)

V. Exercises Applying the Object Structure with Detailed Answers

To help you remember how the object structure is used so that you don’t have to wonder whether "object" is followed by V-ing or to V, what comes after "object," or what prepositions "object" goes with, let’s practice with some exercises below.

1. Exercise: Choose the correct answer from the following questions

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer

The employees are objecting ….. the new working policy of the company.
1. for
2. to
3. that
She ….. the fact that the slideshow wasn’t available before the meeting.
1. object to
2. objects to
3. objected to
Look, there’s a strange ….. in this room!
1. object
2. object to
3. objects
My mom always objects to ….. but it’s fine.
1. my use
2. my object
3. my notions
I object ….. we use this modern skill.
1. that
2. to
3. For

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Object structure

The students _____________ (finish) classes at 5.30 p.m.
The _____________ this leaflet _____________ (educate) people about endangered species.
She enrolled in the baking class _____________ (open) a bakery.
The baby became the _____________ (affection) at the family gathering.
The teacher _____________ students _____________ (use) their phones during class.

2. Answer keys

Exercise 1	Exercise 2
B C A C A	object to finishing object of/is to educate with the object of opening object of affection objects to/ using

The information about the Object structure is what PREP wants to convey to you. Don’t forget to complete the practice exercises after reviewing the general knowledge about the Object structure!

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.