Direct object and indirect object

• In simple sentences the object is easy to see:

She hit him.

They took the money.

• Some verbs, however, have two objects:

She gave me the book. (= she gave the book to me)

the book is the real object of this sentence. It tells us what she gave.This is the direct object (Direct object)

me is the indirect object (Indirect object)

FORM

• verb + direct object + to or for + indirect object:

Give Buy

D.O. the money a present

to for

I.O. him. your mother.

a) Some common verbs Taking to: bring, give, lend, pay, promise, send,

Show, take, tell.

b) Some common verbs taking for: buy, find, get, make.

verb + indirect object without to or for + direct object:

Give Buy

I.O. him your mother

D.O. the money. a present.

Note: that it is not possible to use the second form when the direct object is a pronoun

(me, her, him, it, etc]. The longer construction must be used:

Give it to John. (NOT Give John it.)

6. Rewrite these sentences without using to or for.

1 Give this food to your parents.

Give your parents this food.

2Get an ashtray for me, please.

Get me an ashtray, please.

3 Have you sent a postcard to your family?

4 Did you pay the money to him?

5 Would you find a seat for my mother, please?

6 I'll get some money for you.

7 Did you tell the news to your parents?

8 I'm buying a ticket for Jenny, too.

9 Show your painting to Mr Anderson.

10 Would you take this note to your parents?

Rewrite these sentences in the correct order.

1 to my parents / I / it / took

I took it to my parents.

2 they / any money / me / didn't give

They didn't give me any money _

3 to all / she / the car / her friends / showed

4 the students / the news / gave / I

5 did / my pen / lend / you / him?

6 bought / some flowers / my / I / parents / for

7 why / some perfume / didn't / me / bring / you?

8 some grapes and some flowers / took / Janice / we

9 his / showed / injured / me / hand / he