English Grammar

Transitive Verbs with two objects

Most transitive verbs are followed by a single object. But there are some transitive verbs like give, offer, tell, ask, make, promise, sell, lend, owe, buy etc., which take two objects after them.

She gave me a book.
I told her a story.
She bought him a shirt.
Will you do me a favour?

The object that immediately follows the verb is called the indirect object. The indirect object usually denotes a person. The direct object usually comes after the indirect object.

It is possible to put the direct object before the indirect object. In that case, the preposition to or for is placed before the indirect object.

She gave a book to me.
I told a story to her.
She bought a shirt for him.
Will you do a favour for me?

Notes: The direct object cannot be put before the indirect object in the following cases.

Ask him his name. (BUT NOT Ask his name to him.)
I envy you your new dress. (BUT NOT I envy your new dress to you.)

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