Learn English from A to Z

INDIRECT OBJECT 

Position

When a sentence has both a direct object (the thing that receives the action) and an indirect object (the person who benefits or receives the direct object), the word order matters.

• If the indirect object comes before the direct object, we don’t use to or for:
  He gave me the book.

• If the indirect object comes after the direct object, we must add to or for:
  He gave the book to me.

So, both are correct, but the structure changes depending on the position of the indirect object.

Exercises

Section A

Rewrite the sentences so the indirect object comes before the direct object.

1. She wrote a message to her boss. (She wrote her boss a message.)

2. They gave some advice to us.

3. He lent his bicycle to his brother.

4. I sent an invitation to Maria.

5. We offered a job to John.

6. The teacher explained the lesson to the students.

7. She passed the ball to her teammate.

8. He sold his car to a neighbor.

9. I told the truth to my parents.

10. They showed the apartment to the visitors.

Section B

Rewrite the sentences so the indirect object comes after the direct object (using to or for).

1. He gave me a coffee. (He gave a coffee to me.)

2. She bought her son a new phone.

3. I promised her a holiday.

4. They offered us a discount.

5. We sent them some photos.

6. The waiter brought me the menu.

7. She told me a secret.

8. He showed us his passport.

9. I baked her a cake.

10. They gave him a chance.