Indirect Objects

Give some money to John.

Give some money to him.

Give it to John.

Give it to him.

Give John some money.

Give him some money.

Give John it. (not common)

Give him it. (not common)

(In some very informal situations, you may hear people use this one.

Example: angry mother to child: Give me it right now!!)

Note the following:

Pattern A and B

write, read, show, teach, tell, sell, send, lend, bring, take, pass, give

Pattern A and C

buy, get, make, find, do, bake, cash, save

Pattern A only

ask, cost, charge, wish

Pattern B only

explain, announce, describe, introduce, mention, prove, repeat, say, speak, report

(When used with for, has the meaning of ?on behalf of?)

Pattern C only

open, answer, close, change, pronounce, prescribe

All patterns

sing

None of the patterns

eat, sleep, talk, walk, and most other verbs