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:

SubjectVerbIndirect ObjectDirect Object
I gavemy mothersome flowers.
IsentSusanan email.
Hecookedhis friendsa meal.

2. We can use to or for with an indirect object if we want to place it next to the verb:

SubjectVerbDirect ObjectIndirect Object
I gavesome flowersto my mother.
Isentan emailto Susan.
Hecookeda mealfor his friends.

3. If the indirect object is a pronoun we normally put it after the verb:

SubjectVerbIndirect ObjectDirect Object
I gavehersome flowers.
Isentheran email.
Hecookedthema 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

Exercises