Guide to English grammar

10 Give, send etc

Verbs like give and send can have two objects, or they can have an object and an adverbial. There are some examples in this conversation, which takes place in a department store.

CLAIMING BACK TAX

Customer: I've bought these sweaters, and I'm taking them home to Brazil. I understand I can claim back the tax I pay.
Clerk: That's right. Have you filled in a form?
Customer: Yes, and I've got the receipts here.
Clerk: Right. Now, when you go through British Customs, you give the customs officer the form with the receipts.
Customer: I give the form to the Customs when I leave Britain?
Clerk: That's right. They'll give you one copy back and keep one themselves.
Customer: Uh-huh.
Clerk: Now I'll give you this envelope. You send the copy back to us in the envelope.
Customer: I post it to you.
Clerk: That's right.
Customer: And how do I get the money?
Clerk: Oh, we send you a check. We'll send it off to you straight away.

1 Two objects

When the verb has two objects, the first is the indirect object and the second is the direct object. Here the indirect object refers to the person receiving something, and the direct object refers to the thing that is given.

You give We send The man bought I can reserve

Indirect object the customs officer you the woman you

Direct object the form. a cheque/check a diamond ring. a seat.

2 Object + adverbial

Instead of an indirect object, we can use a prepositional phrase with to or for. The adverbial comes after the direct object.

I give You send The man bought I can reserve

Direct object the form the copy a diamond ring a seat

Prepositional phrase (or Indirect object)