Ditransitive Verbs: Ultimate Guide to Verbs with Two Objects

The table gives you a fast reference for common English verbs that can appear in a two-object structure.

These are some of the most useful verbs with two objects in everyday speech and writing.

A ditransitive verb takes two objects in the same clause: an indirect object and a direct object. The prefix di- means “two.”

For learners studying ditransitive verbs in English, the formula that is often applied is:

Consider “Maya sent her brother a photo.” Here, Maya is the subject, sent is the verb, her brother is the indirect object and a photo is the direct object. This pattern is one of the most useful English grammar rules for recognizing how the sentence is organized.

Not every sentence with a verb such as send has two objects. “Maya sent a photo” contains only a direct object. It is therefore more accurate to say that these verbs can take two objects, but they do not always require both.

The direct object usually names the thing, message or information that is given, sent, made or communicated.

The indirect object usually names the receiver or beneficiary.

The simplest method of determining the direct and indirect object of a sentence is to determine the thing first, despite the fact that the object usually comes after the indirect object.

Take, for instance, “Ben lent Carla his charger.” In this sentence, what did Ben lend? He lent his charger, which makes it the direct object. And who got it? Carla received it, so she is the indirect object.

This “thing first, receiver second” method is a learner shortcut, not a rule about word order. A direct object can name a person, and an indirect object can name an animal, group or organization. The role in the action determines the object type.

Both positions use object forms such as me, him, her, us and them. Understanding the structure will also make direct object pronouns easier to use.

The following ditransitive verb examples are grouped by meaning, making the patterns easier to compare and remember.

Verbs of transfer and giving

Transfer verbs move an item, message, or payment to a recipient. The double-object form places the receiver before the thing, while the alternative form usually uses to.

Verbs of creating and benefiting

These verbs describe making, finding or obtaining something for another person. Their alternative pattern usually uses for because the action benefits someone.

The contrast between give and buy verbs can help you choose a preposition: give transfers something to a receiver, while buy describes an action done for a beneficiary.

Verbs of communication

Communication verbs pass information, knowledge or a question to another person. Their alternative patterns are not equally common, so it is useful to learn each verb with its usual structure.

The alternative with tell often sounds natural when the receiver is emphasized. Ask a question of someone is correct but more formal than the two-object version.

Many ditransitive verbs allow an alternative structure with to or for, but the correct preposition depends on the verb’s meaning.

A simple ditransitive verbs list with to and for can be organized like this:

The preposition plus its noun or pronoun forms a prepositional phrase, such as to Priya or for Priya.

Learn prepositions like to and for as part of the complete verb pattern because they are not interchangeable.

When the direct object is a short pronoun such as it or them, use the prepositional order in neutral standard American English. Say “Give it to me” and “Buy it for her.” Avoid “Give me it“ and “Buy her it.”

This is the order native speakers normally choose when the direct object is a pronoun. The same pattern appears in “Send them to Alex.” Avoid “Send Alex them.”

Some verbs can mention both information and a recipient but do not allow the normal double-object order. When the information or idea and its recipient are both expressed, use explain/suggest + something + to + someone.

The groups to me and to us begin with prepositions; they are not indirect objects in a double-object structure. These common mistakes happen when learners copy the pattern of tell, show or give.

The transitive vs ditransitive difference depends on sentence structure, not only on meaning. A verb may involve a recipient in the situation but still require a preposition before that recipient. Also remember that suggest has other common patterns, including “She suggested taking the train” and “She suggested that we take the train.”

Consider the active voice example “The committee gave him an award.” Here, the subject performs the action. With many ditransitive verbs such as give, English can form two passive patterns because either object can become the grammatical subject.

In the first sentence, the person is the point of focus. In the second sentence, the award is made the topic because it precedes the rest of the sentence. Both sentences are grammatically correct, but which one to go for depends on which element the speaker/writer wants to stress.

Learning passive verbs as a shift of focus proves to be more helpful than studying them as a simple shift of the verb form. In the passive voice, the agent can be omitted when the person or group performing the action is unknown, obvious or unimportant.

Ditransitive verbs are easier to use when you identify the thing first, then find the recipient. Next, choose either the double-object pattern or a form with to or for. Some verbs allow both options, while explain and suggest need a preposition before the person receiving the information.

The more you practice, the better you will be at recognizing these constructions and using them in your speech and writing. Instead of learning individual words, learn complete verb patterns, and you will find that object placement will not be as difficult to predict.