oblique object

oblique object (preposisjonsobjekt): a clause element with a semantic role characteristic of an object (affected, effected or beneficiary), but realized by a prepositional phrase. An oblique object may occur in the same clause as a direct object. An oblique object may be a variation on an indirect object, as in I gave some flowers to my neighbours. (Cf. I gave my neighbours some flowers). Alternatively, an oblique object may be a constituent which might have been expressed as a direct object, but which has lost that status in competition with another phrase, as in He stuffed his mouth with peanuts. (Cf. He stuffed peanuts into his mouth.)