DITRANSITIVE VERBS

In grammar, a ditransitive verb is a verb which takes a subject and two objects. According to
certain linguistics considerations, these objects may be called direct and indirect, or primary and
secondary. This is in contrast to monotransitive verbs, which take only one, direct, object.
English grammar allows for these sentences to be written alternately with a preposition (to or
for):
x One rule of thumb for English, however, is that an indirect object is not present unless a
direct object is also present.
Prepositional phrase with TO
Verbs

Examples

award
offer
send
bring
pass
feed
promise
tell
give
pay
write
grant
show
teach
mail
sell
present
lend
post
read

They awarded a gold medal to top 10 schools.

They offered a management job to me.
I sent some money to you.
Sam brought some flowers to you.
Can you please pass the salt to me?
My brother fed fish to our cat.
My brother promised a laptop to me.
You told the truth to me.
He gave a gift to me.
They paid 50 dollars to the cashier.
He wrote a mail to me.
They granted the password to me.
He showed his car to me.
My teacher taught french to me.
They mailed a letter to me.
He sold a monitor to me.
I presented my assignment to the teacher.
He lent his dictionary to me.
They posted a letter to you.
My mother read stories to me.

Prepositional phrase with For

Verbs

Examples

bake
find
pour
book
get
prepare
build

They baked bread for me.

I found a pen for you.
I poured a glass of water for you.
Sally booked a table for us.
Can you get a gift card for me?
My brother prepares the table for us.
My brother is building a sand-castle for the kids.

knit
reserve
buy
make
sing
cook
order
provide
do a favour

My grandma knitted a sweater for me.

He reserved a room for us.
They bought a house for themselves.
He made a cake for his wife.
They sang a song for me.
My sister cooked the dinner for me.
I ordered a glass of wine for you.
They provided shelter for us.
Can you do a favour for me?

Verb objects test 1, exercise 1: Complete the sentences with the words in brackets in the
correct order.
I promissed to deliver ______________________. (parcel/the/her)
We have already shown ______________________. (the/Mrs. Clark/to/project)
We will write ______________________. (letter/a/John)
I can lend ______________________. (book/her/the)
They will immediately send ______________________. (a/us/to/fax)
Keep ______________________. (place/her/the/for)
They've bought ______________________. (daughter/new/a/flat/their)
Show ______________________. (to/his/him/room)
You should give ______________________. (of/your/a/teacher/bunch/flowers)
My mum made ______________________. (for/cake/me/a/huge)

Verb objects test 1, exercise 2: Complete the sentences and use a preposition if necessary.
Did you send Mary the postcard? - Yes, I sent ______________________. (her/it)
Go to bed, Sam! - Mum, I can't sleep. Will you read ______________________? (me)
You should offer them your car. - But I've already offered ______________________. (them/it)
Why don't we bring them some sandwiches? - You can't bring ______________________. (our
children/sandwiches). They won't eat them.
Has Rosy seen these photos? - Yes, I have already shown ______________________. (her)
Please, give me your telephone number. - Sorry. I can't give ______________________. (you/it).

Will you write him an e-mail? - I think I should write ______________________ as soon as
possible. (him)
Have you heard the story? - No, I haven't. Please, tell ______________________. (me)
Did you give her the parcel? - No, she wasn't at home. But I'll give ______________________
tomorrow. (her/it)
Could you send it to Vince, please? - I can't send ______________________. (Vince/the
message). He is at school.

Verb objects test 2, exercise 1: Rewrite the complete sentences correctly.

What did you do? Can you tell me it? ______________________?
He wrote to Dan a letter. ______________________.
They gave a lot of presents Simon. ______________________.
This picture is so nice. - Can you show to me? ______________________?
I have brought for your sister this book. ______________________.
Please, will you pass me it? ______________________?
I'm looking forward to your reply. Write me soon. ______________________.
Grandma, could you read me? ______________________?
Don't smoke anymore. Will you promise to me? ______________________?

Verb objects test 2, exercise 2: Complete the sentences and use a preposition if necessary.
Please, bring ______________________. (a cup of coffee/me)
Will you show ______________________? (it/her)
They sold ______________________. (my sister/their house)
I want to send ______________________. (Jane/this card)
You should write ______________________. (your parents)
Please, don't tell ______________________. (him)

I've bought ______________________. (Helen/it).

My father gave ______________________. (me/it)
Will you read ______________________? (us, it)
Why don't you offer ______________________? (Brad/your help)
Please, try it. Primise ______________________. (me)

Transitive Verbs Used Intransitively

You will often find transitive verbs used intransitively, i.e. without an object.
x They are eating.
x We play in the evening.
x I understand.
Intransitive Verbs Used Transitively
At rare times intransitive verbs are used transitively.
x How did you cover all that distance? We walked it. ('walked' has the object 'it' in this
sentence)
x I cannot stand such nonsense. ('stand' has the object 'nonsense' in this sentence)
VERBS THAT CAN BE TRANSITIVE OR INTRANSITIVE
Several verbs can be used in a transitive or intransitive way. Here are some examples of verbs
that can be transitive or intransitive:
Theres no need to shout. [Intransitive]
Someone shouted my name. [Transitive]
Where do you want to meet? [Intransitive]
Ill meet you outside the school. [Transitive]
Im sorry. I dont understand. [Intransitive]
She didnt understand his explanation. [Transitive]
! Try a similar exercise with the verb TO TURN
I. Decide whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.
1. Run 2. Live 3. Throw 4. Sell 5. Eat 6. Buy 7. Evolve 8. Develop 9. Happen 10. Feed 11. Exist
12. Occur 13. Follow 14. Feed on 15. Take place
II. State whether the verbs in the following sentences are transitive or intransitive. Name the
object of each transitive verb
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

The sun rises in the east.

The dog barks.
He raised his hands.
The information proved false.
The child has fallen asleep.
The donkey kept braying.
The tea is hot.
The results are out.
She called again and again.
We are human beings.
The old man went mad.
She waited for the bus.
He told a story.
I saw him playing.
The sky is overcast.
Regular exercise made his muscles strong.
God called the light day.
They chose him their leader.
I consider the man trustworthy.
She called me a liar.