Page 635 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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indirect object last: I gave the keys to John
We can also put the indirect object after the direct object. In this case it normally has a preposition (usually to or for).
I gave the keys to John.
I handed my licence to the policeman.
Mrs Norman sent some flowers to the nurse. Mother bought the ice-cream for you, not for me.
two pronouns: Lend them to her
When both objects are pronouns, it is common to put the indirect object last. To is occasionally dropped after it in informal British English.
Lend them to her. Send some to him. Give it (to) me.
lt is also possible to put the indirect object first. Give her one. Send him some.
However, this structure is avoided in some cases: phrases ending with it or them (e.g. He gave you it or Send them them) are often felt to be unnatural.
wh-questions: Who did you buy it for?
Prepositions are used in wh-questions referring to the indirect object. Who did you buy it for? (NOT yRt6 ditI:16ft hl:ty it?)
Who was it sent to? (NOT lWt6 ttJfJ:S it sent?)
passives: I've been given a picture
When these verbs are used in passive structures, the subject is usually the person who receives something, not the thing which is sent, given etc.
I've just been given a lovely picture.
We were all bought little presents.
However, the thing which is given, sent etc can be the subject if necessary. What happened to the stuffhe left behind?- Well, the picture was given to
Mr Ferguson.
For details of these passive structures, see 415.
structures with donate, push, carry, explain,
suggest, describe and take
Not all verbs with this kind of meaning can be followed by indirect object + direct object. The structure is not possible, for example, with donate, push. carry, explain, suggest or describe.
They donated money to the museum. (BUT NOT They tkmated the "tf:tSeft"t 17!6ney.)
I pushed the plate to Ann. (OUT NOT .. ptJ:Shet1 Ann the plate.)
He carried the baby to the doctor. (OUT NOT He carried the fi6emr the IMhy.) I'd like him to explain his decision to us. (BUT NOT .•• t6 ~plain I:tS his
tleeiswn. )
Can you suggest a good dentist to me? (OUT NOT Cdn16ft Sl:tggest me 4 gB6d
dentist?)
Please describe your Wife to us. (BUT NOT Plettse tleseribe I:tS 16ftr wife.)
Take (to) can be used with indirect object + direct object, but not take (/rom). I took her some money. (= I took some money to her, NOT ••• from her.)
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verbs with two objects 610
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