Many verbs can be followed by two objects – one indirect and one direct object. The indirect object usually refers to a person, and comes first.
- I gave him a watch for his birthday.
- Could you send me the report?
- I will lend you some money.
- Let me get you some coffee.
- She told me a story.
Certain verbs cannot be followed by the structure indirect object + direct object. Examples are: explain, suggest or describe.
- I would like you to explain this theory to me. (NOT I would like you to explain me this theory.)
- Can you suggest a good cardiologist to me? (NOT Can you suggest me a good cardiologist?)
- Please describe your job to me. (NOT Please describe me your job.)
Some verbs can be followed by either a direct object or an indirect object, or both.
- I asked Peter. (Here the verb asked is followed by an indirect object.)
- I asked a question. (Here the verb asked is followed by a direct object.)
- I asked Peter a question. (Here the verb asked is followed by both a direct object and an indirect object.)
Other verbs that can be used like this are: teach, tell, pay, show, sing, play and write.
- He taught me a lesson.
When the verbs sing, play and write have no direct object, we put the preposition to before the indirect object.
Compare:
- Write me a letter. (NOT Write to me a letter.) (To is not used when write is followed by a direct object.)
- Write to me. (NOT Write me.) (Here we use the preposition to because the verb write is not followed by a direct object.)