Verbs with 2 objects – Word order
Word order in English sentences with two objects
Some verbs have two objects –an indirect object and a direct object.
1. If there are two objects in a sentence, the normal word order is person → thing:
Subject | Verb | Indirect Object | Direct Object |
---|---|---|---|
I | gave | my mother | some flowers. |
I | sent | Susan | an email. |
He | cooked | his friends | a meal. |
2. We can use to or for with an indirect object if we want to place it next to the verb:
Subject | Verb | Direct Object | Indirect Object |
---|---|---|---|
I | gave | some flowers | to my mother. |
I | sent | an email | to Susan. |
He | cooked | a meal | for his friends. |
3. If the indirect object is a pronoun we normally put it after the verb:
Subject | Verb | Indirect Object | Direct Object |
---|---|---|---|
I | gave | her | some flowers. |
I | sent | her | an email. |
He | cooked | them | a meal. |
4. Common verbs with for and an indirect object are:
- book
- buy
- get
- cook
- keep
- bring
- make
- pour
- save
- find
5. Common verbs with to and an indirect object are:
- give
- lend
- offer
- pass
- post
- read
- sell
- send
- show
- promise
- tell
If we want to emphasise the person, we put the person after the thing. Then we use the preposition to.
I am going to send the letter to Peter.
With the words describe, explain, report and say – we always put the person after the thing. Then we use the preposition to.
I will describe the situation to you.
Explanations
- Conjunctions, connecting words and fillers
- Contact clauses – no relative pronouns
- Relative clauses – defining and non-defining – that which
- Expressions of Time & Place in Sentences
- The position of Adverbs of Frequency
- The position of Adverbs in a Sentence
- The use of Commas in English Sentences
- Word Order in English questions (Summary)
- Word Order in English sentences (Summary)