Grammar » A2 Grammar lessons and exercises » Verbs with two objects
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  • Verbs with two objects

    Exercise 1

    Choose the correct options to complete these sentences.

    1 I sent a postcard.

    2 I wrote a letter .

    3 Have you brought ?

    4 They offered .

    5 Pass , please.

    6 She made .

    7 She taught a lesson.

    8 I cooked .

    9 I never lend .

    10 If you have any questions, give .


     

  • 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.
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