The document explains verbs that take two objects, specifically direct and indirect objects, known as ditransitive verbs. It provides examples of how to position indirect objects before or after direct objects, depending on the context, and discusses the use of prepositions 'to' and 'for' to introduce indirect objects. Additionally, it highlights verbs that typically pair with one preposition over the other and the nuanced meanings that may arise from these choices.

1. Verbs with Two Objects

2. Verbs with Two Objects
Some verbs have two objects after them, a
direct object and an indirect object. For
example, in the sentence ‘I gave John a
book’, ‘the book’ is the direct object. ‘John’ is
the indirect object. Verbs that have two
objects are sometimes called ‘ditransitive’
verbs or ‘double-transitive’ verbs.
His uncle had given him books on India.
She sends you her love.
I passed him the cup.

3. Verbs with Two Objects
When the indirect object is a pronoun, or
another short noun group such as a noun with
‘the’, you put an indirect object in front of the
direct object.
Dad gave me a car.
You promised the lad a job.
He had lent my cousin the money.
She bought Dave and me an ice cream.

4. Verbs with Two Objects
You can also use the prepositions ‘to’ and
‘for’ to introduce the indirect object. If you do
this, you put the preposition and indirect
object after the direct object.
He handed his room key to the receptionist.
Bill saved a piece of cake for the children.

5. Verbs with Two Objects
When the indirect object consists of several
words, you normally use a prepostion to
introduce it.
She taught physics and chemistry to pupils at
the local school.
I made that lamp for a seventy-year-old
woman.

6. Verbs with Two Objects
You often use a prepostion when you want to
emphasize the indirect object.
Did you really by that for me?

7. Verbs with Two Objects
With some verbs you can only use ‘for’, not
‘to’ to introduce the indirect object.
book cut make
prepare buy find
paint save cook
keep pour win

8. Verbs with Two Objects
They booked a place for me.
He had found some old clothes for the
beggar.
The bought a present for the teacher.
She painted a picture for her father.

9. Verbs with Two Objects
With some verbs you normally use ‘to’ to
introduce the indirect object.
give pay read
show lend post
sell teach offer
promise send tell
pass

10. Verbs with Two Objects
I had lent my motorbike to a friend.
Ralph passed a message to Jack.
They say they posted the letter to me last
week.
He sold it to me.

11. Verbs with Two Objects
Note: You can use ‘for’ with these verbs, but it
has a different meaning. ‘For’ indicates that
one person does something on behalf of
another person so that the other person does
not have to do it.
His mother paid the bill for him.
If you’ re going out, can you post this for me,
please?

12. Questions?
For more slide presentations visit: