80 likes | 100 Views
Understand how to use direct and indirect objects correctly with verbs, including common verbs and particular cases. Learn the order of pronouns and special scenarios. Improve your language skills today!
E N D
Hints on Verbs Usage: Direct/Indirect Objects Carmela Grillone FAO International Consultant
Direct and Indirect Objects • Many verbs can be followed by 2 objects • 1 direct, the object • 1 indirect, the person • I gavemy brothera presentfor his birthday • Can you sendme an email? • I want to makeyousome coffee
Common Verbs • Offer • Owe • Pass • Pay • Play • Promise • Read • Refuse • Send • Show • Sing • Take • Teach • Tell • Wish • Write • Bring • Buy • Cost • Get • Give • Leave • Lend • Make
Two Pronouns Generally the indirect object comes last • Give it to me • Send some to him but it’s possible to put it first • Give her one • Send him some
Indirect Object Indirect object can come after the direct object • He sent some flowers to the girl whom he met during the conference • She bought that present for you, not for me
Particular Cases:Explain, Suggest, Describe I’d like him to explain his decision to us (not to explain us his decision) Can you suggest a good restaurant to me? (not Can you suggest me a good restaurant?) Please describe your sister to us (not Please describe us your sister)
1 or 2 objects • I asked Jane • I asked a question • I asked Jane a question • Teach, tell, pay, show, sing, play and write • sing, play and write: put TO before the indirect object • Sing her a song • Sing to her (Not sing her) • Write me a letter • Write to me when you get home (Write me..possible in American English)
Say and Tell • Jack said, “What a nice idea!” Not Jack told us, What a nice idea!” After tell we usually say WHO is told • She told me that she would be late Say is often used WITHOUT a personal object • She said that she would be late • Neither say nor tell can be introduce indirect questions • Mahmoud asked whether I wanted to watch a movie () not Mahmoud said/told…)