Question

The townspeople launched the boat into the rough waters. identify the direct object in the sentence.

Answer 1

The townspeople launched the boat into the rough waters.

The direct object in the sentence is THE BOAT.

Direct object is recipient of the action or verb.

Subject + Verb + Direct Object (answers the question What? or Who?)

Subject : Townspeople
Verb: launched

The townspeople launched WHAT? The boat.

Answer 2

The boat

Step-by-step explanation:

A direct object always follows an action verb. The first step to determing the direct object is to identify the subject and then the action verb. Then you need to ask yourself "whom" or "what" is receiving the action.

The subject is "the townspeople" and the action verb is "launched." What is being launched? The boat.

Keep in mind that there can be sentences with more than one direct object and some sentences that don't have a direct object.