Direct and Indirect Objects
Many verbs have two objects: an indirect object (usually a person) and a direct object (usually a thing). There are two correct patterns.
Pattern One: Verb + Person + Thing
- She gave me a book.
- He bought his son a bike.
Pattern Two: Verb + Thing + to/for + Person
- She gave a book to me.
- I sent a letter to my friend.
Use to with verbs like give, send, show, tell, lend; use for with verbs like buy, make.
Pronoun Objects
When the direct object is a pronoun (it, them), we normally use Pattern Two.
- Give it to me. — not Give me it.
Quick Reference
- Person + thing
They told us the truth. - Thing + to/for + person
They told the truth to us.
