in which sentence is the underlined infinitive or infinitive phrase function as a direct object?

Question

c. After all that exercise, the runners needed *to drink water*.

d.Just as the mayor was about *to give an award*, it began raining.

I would say its d?

Answer 1

wait, wouldn't it be c because the verb needed ends in ed?

Answer 2

Yes, it's c, but not because of any verb ending. It's c because the infinitive phrase is serving as the direct object of the main verb, "needed."

Answer 3

Thanks!:)