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Verbs with two objects – grammar chart

Verbs with two objects - double object verbs

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Direct and indirect objects

The direct object normally answers the question of ‘what’ or ‘who’.

  • I bought a nice sweater
  • What did you buy?
  • I saw Peter and Sarah.
  • Who did you see?

The indirect object normally answers the question ‘to whom’ or ‘for whom’.

  • I sent my friends a picture of the house. 
  • Who did you send a picture to?
  • I cooked my wife breakfast.
  • Who did you cook breakfast for?

 

Verbs with two objects

There are some verbs which have two objects: an indirect object and a direct object.

Some of these verbs are: bring, buy, cook, find, get, give, lend, make, offer, pass, promise, read, sell, send, show, tell, write.

After these verbs, there are two possible structures:

I sent my friends a picture.

I sent a picture to my friends.

If the indirect object is a pronoun (me, you, him, her, etc.), we normally use it next to the verb.

I sent them a picture.

To or for?

When we use the indirect object next to the verb, we do not use to or for.

  • I send Alex a postcard. (NOT I send to Alex a postcard.)

We use to or for in: verb + direct object + to/for + indirect object.

  • I sent a postcard to Alex. 
  • She bought a present for her friend.

Some verbs are used with to, and some other verbs are used with for before the indirect object.

To + indirect object

Some common verbs that are used with to + indirect object are: give, lend, offer, pass, promise, read, sell, send, show, tell, write.

  • You should give an apology to Tom. 
  • She showed the letter to all her friends.

For + indirect object

Some common verbs that are used with for + indirect object are: bring, buy, cook, find, get, make.

  • Can you bring some food for the dog?
  • I’ll cook a nice dinner for you.