Verbs with Two Objects: A Complete Guide

Some verbs in English can take two objects in a single sentence. These verbs allow you to describe actions involving a subject, an object (the person or thing receiving the action), and a secondary object (typically the thing being given, told, or done). While many verbs use the preposition to to introduce the indirect object, others use the preposition for. Let’s explore both cases in detail.

What Are Verbs with Two Objects?

Verbs with two objects are also known as ditransitive verbs. They can take both:

1. Indirect Object: Refers to who receives the action.
2. Direct Object: Refers to what is received.

For example:

• She gave me (indirect object) a gift (direct object).
• He baked a cake (direct object) for her (indirect object).

Common Verbs That Take Two Objects

Verbs with “To”

These verbs indicate the direction of an action or transfer:

• Give: I gave her the book.
• Send: They sent us a package.
• Show: He showed me the photos.
• Tell: Can you tell me a story?
• Offer: She offered him a drink.
• Lend: Could you lend me some money?
• Read: She read him a story.
• Write: He wrote her a letter.

Verbs with “For”

These verbs imply doing something on behalf of someone else:

• Buy: He bought her a present.
• Make: I made a cake for them.
• Cook: She cooked dinner for us.
• Get: I got a gift for her.
• Find: He found a place for them to stay.
• Build: They built a house for their parents.
• Save: She saved a seat for me.

Sentence Structures with Two Objects

1. Indirect Object Before Direct Object

This structure places the indirect object immediately after the verb:

• [Subject] + [Verb] + [Indirect Object] + [Direct Object]
  • Examples:
    • She gave him a pen.
    • They showed us their house.
    • He bought me a drink.
    • I made her a cake.

2. Using a Preposition Before the Indirect Object

When the indirect object follows the direct object, use to or for:

• [Subject] + [Verb] + [Direct Object] + [Preposition] + [Indirect Object]
  • Examples:
    • She gave a pen to him.
    • They showed their house to us.
    • He bought a drink for me.
    • I made a cake for her.

Examples of Verbs with “To” and “For”

Affirmative Sentences

1. She told me the truth.
2. I gave a book to my friend.
3. They cooked us dinner.
4. He bought flowers for his wife.

Negative Sentences

1. She didn’t lend me her car.
2. He didn’t show the photos to them.
3. I couldn’t make a cake for her.
4. They didn’t offer a ride to us.

Questions

1. Did she give you the key?
2. Who wrote this letter to her?
3. Can you cook a meal for us?
4. Did they save a seat for him?

Special Notes on Usage

1. When to Use “To” or “For”:
   • Use to for verbs of transfer (give, send, lend, write):
     • She sent a letter to him.
   • Use for when indicating an action done on behalf of someone (buy, make, cook, save):
     • She made a sandwich for him.
2. No Preposition When the Indirect Object Follows the Verb:
   • Don’t use a preposition when the indirect object immediately follows the verb:
     • Incorrect: He gave to me the book.
     • Correct: He gave me the book.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. She _______ (give) _______ (indirect object) _______ (direct object).
2. He _______ (make) _______ (direct object) _______ (preposition + indirect object).
3. Can you _______ (write) _______ (direct object) _______ (preposition + indirect object)?
4. I _______ (buy) _______ (direct object) _______ (preposition + indirect object).

Example Answers

1. She gave him the pen.
2. He made a cake for his parents.
3. Can you write a letter to her?
4. I bought flowers for my mom.

Verbs with Two Objects: Summary

Verbs with two objects, or ditransitive verbs, involve a direct and an indirect object. Two patterns are possible: indirect object before direct object (e.g., She gave him the pen) or using to/for with the indirect object after the direct object (e.g., She gave the pen to him).