Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997

38 Verb + indirect object/direct object: I gave the man some money

Quick reference

• An indirect object normally refers to a person and comes before a direct object.

• We put the object that gives more important information second.

What did you give your wife? -I gave her some flowers

Who did he give the flowers to? - He gave them to his wife.

• We use to or for when we want to emphasise the indirect object.

He left his London apartment to his son and his villa in Monte Carlo to his daughter.

I’ve saved this seat for you. He made a meal for all the family.

• An indirect object with to or for goes after the direct object.

She left all her money to her children. (not She left to her children all her money.)

• If the direct object is a pronoun, we normally use to or for with the indirect object.

Show it to him. (not Show it him.) I’ve posted it for you. (not I’ve posted you it.)

1 Put the following sentences in the right order.

1 Every year Doris Slocombe/her sister Mary/a birthday card/sends.

2 Last week she/the card/to her husband George/gave. (She asked him to post it.)

3 Two days later Mary/a letter/sent/to Doris.

4 She told/some shocking news/her.

5 The postman had only given/half the card/her.

6 He told/the reason/Mary.

(’Snails in the post box have eaten the other half of the card.’)

2 A film director is telling his actors and technicians what he wants them to do.

a) Complete the sentences with to or for. b) Then rewrite the sentences without to or for.

Example: Fetch my glasses for me. Fetch me my glasses.

1 Make some coffee ... everyone.

2 Send this fax ... the producer.

3 Buy a packet of cigarettes ... me.

4 Book a table ... me at Doyle’s Bar.

5 Order a taxi ... me for 6.30.

6 Give this note ... my assistant.

7 Take this reel of film ... the editor.