Hi all.

A student gave me this sentence:

"The government imposed a fine on the company".

My question is - is "the company" an indirect object? In one sense, it feels it is because it 'receives' the effect of the verb. However, the prepositional phrase has 'on' and not 'to/for'.

So, if it isn't an indirect object, what is it? Just part of a 'non to/for prepositional phrase'?

Indirect objects can be used in passive sentences. So -

"The man gave the book to the girl" can be expressed as "The girl was given the book by the man".

My student's sentence cannot be expressed in the same way.

So, I assume the company cannot be said to be an indirect object.

Any comments gratefully received.

Thanks