Ditransitive Verbs

Ditransitive verbs are an important part of English grammar. They allow us to express ideas involving two objects in a sentence—one receiving the action directly and the other indirectly. In this article, we’ll explain what ditransitive verbs are, how they work, and provide clear examples to help you understand them better.

What are Ditransitive Verbs?

Ditransitive verbs are verbs that take two objects:

1. Direct Object: The thing or person that receives the action of the verb.
2. Indirect Object: The thing or person that benefits from or is affected by the action.

Example:

• She gave him a gift.
• Him is the indirect object (the person receiving the gift).
• A gift is the direct object (the thing being given).

In simple terms, ditransitive verbs help us show the interaction between two objects in a sentence.

How do Ditransitive Verbs Work?

The structure of a sentence with a ditransitive verb usually looks like this:
Subject + Ditransitive Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

Examples:

• I sent her a letter.
• Sent is the ditransitive verb.
• Her is the indirect object (the recipient).
• A letter is the direct object (the thing sent).
• He taught the students English.
• Taught is the ditransitive verb.
• The students is the indirect object (who was taught).
• English is the direct object (what was taught).

Examples of Ditransitive Verbs

Here are some common ditransitive verbs and examples of how they are used:

1. Give

• She gave me a book.
• They gave the teacher their homework.

2. Send

• I sent him a postcard.
• We sent our friends invitations.

3. Show

• He showed us the photos.
• The guide showed the tourists the map.

4. Teach

• She taught the children a lesson.
• He taught me a new skill.

5. Tell

• She told me a story.
• I told my friend the truth.

Sentence Structure with Ditransitive Verbs

Ditransitive verbs allow flexibility in sentence structure. There are two common ways to construct sentences:

1. Indirect Object Before Direct Object

Structure: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
Example:

• She gave him the keys.
• They offered us an opportunity.

2. Direct Object with a Prepositional Phrase

Structure: Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Preposition + Indirect Object
Example:

• She gave the keys to him.
• They offered an opportunity to us.

Both structures are correct, but the choice depends on context and emphasis.

Ditransitive Verbs VS. Transitive Verbs VS. Intransitive Verbs

A ditransitive verb is a type of transitive verb. The prefix di means two, because with a ditransitive verb, two objects follow the ver.

A transitive verb is a verb that takes only one object.

An intransitive verb is a verb that does not require an object for its meaning to be clear.

Whether a verb is transitive or intransitive can depend on the context in which it is used.

Ditransitive Verbs That Take Indirect Objects

In most cases, a ditransitive verb takes a direct and an indirect object.

The direct object is the noun that directly receives the action. 

The indirect object is the noun that answers one of the following questions about the direct object: to whom, for whom, or for what?

Attributive Ditransitive Verbs

When a ditransitive verb does not take a direct with an indirect object, it takes a direct object with an object complement. These are known as attributive ditransitive verbs.

An object complement is a word that describes or renames the direct object in relation to the verb. 

Ditransitive Verbs in the Active Voice and the Passive Voice

Ditransitive verbs can be used in the active and passive voice.

A sentence in the active voice is one where the subject does the action or acts upon the verb.

A sentence in the passive voice is one where the verb acts upon the subject.

Common Mistakes with Ditransitve Verbs

1. Misplacing Objects
   Placing the indirect object in the wrong position can confuse the meaning.
   Incorrect: She gave the book me.
   Correct: She gave me the book.
2. Using the Wrong Preposition
   When using the alternative structure, the preposition must match the verb.
   Incorrect: She sent the letter for him.
   Correct: She sent the letter to him.
3. Forgetting the Indirect Object
   Omitting the indirect object can make the sentence incomplete.
   Incorrect: She gave a gift.
   Correct: She gave him a gift.

Why Learn About Ditransitve Verbs?

Understanding ditransitive verbs is essential for expressing complex ideas in English. They:

• Add depth to your sentences.
• Help you describe relationships between people and objects.
• Improve your writing and speaking skills.

By mastering ditransitive verbs, you can create more detailed and meaningful sentences.

Practice Exercises

1. Identify the Objects
   Find the direct and indirect objects in these sentences:
• She sent her friend a postcard.
• He told the children a story.
• I showed my parents the photos.
2. Rewrite Sentences
   Change the structure of these sentences:
• She gave the book to me.
• He sent the package to them.
3. Fill in the Blanks
   Complete the sentences using appropriate ditransitive verbs:
• She _______ him a birthday card.
• They _______ us the good news.

Conclusion

Ditransitive verbs are essential for describing actions involving two objects—one direct and one indirect. By learning how they function and practicing with examples, you’ll become more confident in using them in your everyday conversations and writing. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon master the art of creating clear, detailed sentences with ditransitive verbs.

I hope this article helped you to learn about ditransitive verbs in English grammar.

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