Verbs with two objects

Verbs with two objects

Exercise 1

Choose the correct options to complete these sentences.

1 I sent for herhimto me a postcard.

2 I wrote a letter for himto himhim.

3 Have you brought a cake to mea cake meme a cake?

4 They offered to me a discounta discount meme a discount.

5 Pass to our guest the biscuitsour guest the biscuitsthe biscuits our guest, please.

6 She made a bracelet for her sisterto her sister a braceleta bracelet to her sister.

7 She taught for meto meme a lesson.

8 I cooked some pasta to the childrensome pasta for the childrenfor the children some pasta.

9 I never lend anyone moneymoney anyoneto anyone money.

10 If you have any questions, give to me a callme a calla call me.

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Verbs with two objects – grammar chart

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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.

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