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Verbs with two objects

Indirect and direct objects: I gave Jack the keys.​

Many verbs can have two objects—usually a person and a thing. This often happens with verbs that are used to talk about transferring or communicating things from one person to another, or doing things for somebody. A few other verbs are also used in this way. Common examples:

  • bet
  • bring
  • build
  • buy
  • cost
  • get
  • give
  • leave
  • lend
  • make
  • offer
  • owe
  • pass
  • pay
  • play
  • post
  • promise
  • read
  • refuse
  • sell
  • send
  • show
  • sing
  • take
  • teach
  • tell
  • throw
  • wish
  • write

The thing that is given, sent, bought, etc is called the 'direct object'; the person who gets it is the 'indirect object'. Most often, the indirect object comes first.

  • I bet you ten dollars you can't beat me at chess.
  • He built the children a tree house.
  • Shall I buy you some chocolate while I'm out?
  • Could you bring me the paper?
  • The repair cost me a lot.
  • I gave Jack the keys.
  • If you're going upstairs, could you get me my coat?
  • He left his children nothing when he died.
  • Lend me your bike, can you?
  • I'll make you a cake tomorrow.
  • I owe my sister a lot of money.
  • Can I play you some relaxing music?
  • I'll send her the report tomorrow.
  • They promised me all sorts of things.
  • Daddy, read me a story.
  • He sent his mother a postcard.
  • Let's take her some flowers.
  • Will you teach me poker?
  • We bought the children pizzas.
  • Throw me the ball.
  • We wish you a Merry Christmas.

Not all verbs with this kind of meaning can be used like this (see here).

Indirect object last: I gave the keys to Jack.​

We can also put the indirect object after the direct object. In this case it normally has a preposition (usually to or for).I gave the keys to Jack.

  • I handed my licence to the police officer.
  • Mrs Norman sent some flowers to the nurse.
  • Mother bought the ice cream for you, not for me.

(Not all grammars call these prepositional phrases 'indirect objects'.)

Two pronouns: Lend them to her.​

When both objects are pronouns, it is common to put the indirect object last. To is occasionally dropped after it in informal British English.

  • Lend them to her.
  • Send some to him.
  • Give it (to) me.

It is also possible to put the indirect object first.

  • Give her one.
  • Send him some.

However, this structure is avoided in some cases: phrases ending with it or them (e.g. He gave you it or Send them them) are often felt to be unnatural.

wh-questions: Who did you buy it for?​

Prepositions are used in wh-questions referring to the indirect object.

  • Who did you buy it for? (not Who did you buy it?)
  • Who was it sent to? (not Who was it sent?)

Passives: I've been given a picture.​

When these verbs are used in passive structures, the subject is usually the person who receives something, not the thing which is sent, given, etc.

  • I've just been given a lovely picture.
  • We were all bought little presents.

However, the thing which is given, sent, etc can be the subject if necessary.

'What happened to the stuff he left behind?' 'Well, the picture was given to Mr Ferguson.'

note

For details of these passive structures, (see here).

Structures with donate, push, carry, explain, suggest, describe and take​

Not all verbs that refer to transferring or communicating can be followed by indirect object + direct object. The structure is not possible, for example, with donate, push, carry, explain, suggest or describe.

  • They donated money to the museum. (but not They donated the museum money.)
  • I pushed the plate to Anna. (but not I pushed Anna the plate.)
  • He carried the baby to the doctor. (but not He carried the doctor the baby.)
  • I'd like him to explain his decision to us. (but not ... to explain us his decision.)
  • Can you suggest a good dentist to me? (but not Can you suggest me a good dentist?)
  • Please describe your wife to us. (but not Please describe us your wife.)
  • Take can be used with indirect object + direct object when it means 'take to' but not 'take from'.
  • I took her some money. (= I took some money to her—not ... from her.)

One object or two​

Some verbs can be followed by either a direct object, or an indirect object, or both.

  • I asked Jack.
  • I asked a question.
  • I asked Jack a question.

Other verbs like this include teach, tell, pay, show, sing, play and write. Note that when sing, play and write have no direct object, we put to before the indirect object. Compare:

  • Sing her a song.
  • Write me a letter.
  • Sing to her. (not Sing her.)
  • Write to me when you get home. (More common than Write me when ... in standard British English.)
note

For structures with object complements (e.g. They made him captain), see here.