Ditransitive Verb: Meaning, Structure, Rules, Examples & Quiz

An Introduction to Ditransitive Verb

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a ditransitive verb definition is “It can be succeeded by two objects, one of which has the action of the verb done to it and the other of which has the action of the verb directed towards it.”

These verbs take two subjects, where one is a direct object and the other is an indirect object. The direct object is the thing that is directly acted upon, while the indirect object is the recipient of the action. In short, these verbs show the action and its recipient.

You might be wondering how a verb can take an object. Let’s understand in another way.

For the verb’s meaning to be clear, it must be succeeded by a noun or a pronoun, which is the object of the sentence. Read one example of ditransitive verb in action.

Example: She sent her friend a letter.

- The letter is the direct object because it’s the one being sent to someone.

- Here, friend is the indirect object because she is receiving the letter.

In sentences, verbs are not the sole part of speech categorized by their function. Prepositions can also be divided into categories like direction, space, time, place, etc. Understanding the subcategory can help you form correct sentences; therefore, these verbs are essential to comprehend.

Structure of a Ditransitive Sentence

Ditransitive sentences in English typically follow the structure: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object. As mentioned earlier, the indirect object usually refers to the beneficiary, while the direct object is the thing being acted upon.

Here is an example of ditransitive verb with a detailed breakdown: John gave Mary a book.

• Subject - The noun or pronoun acting (John).
• Verb - The action word (gave).
• Indirect Object - The recipient or beneficiary of the action is typically placed before the direct object (Mary).
• Direct Object - The thing that is acted upon (a book).

In some cases, the grammatical structure Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Prepositional Phrase (to/for + Indirect Object) is a way to express an action, its recipient, and who benefits from it. Here (to and for) explains who or what is receiving the direct object or who is benefiting from the action.

Rules for Using Ditransitive Verbs

These verbs, also known as bitransitive or double transitive verbs, require both a direct and an indirect object to complete their meaning. Here are the key rules for using a ditransitive verb in sentences.

• Two Objects - Ditransitive verbs must have two objects: a direct object (the thing being acted upon) and an indirect object (the recipient of the action).
• Indirect Object Placement - The indirect object typically precedes the direct object. For example, in 'she gave him a gift', ‘him’ is the indirect object, and ‘gift’ is the direct object.
• Optional Prepositional Phrase - When the direct object comes before the indirect object, a preposition (usually to or for) is needed before the indirect object. For example, she gave a gift to him.
• Common Ditransitive Verbs -Verbs like give, send, offer, show, tell, bring, lend, and ask are frequently used ditransitively.

When you use ditransitive verb sentences, don’t forget the indirect object, particularly when the direct object is a pronoun. Placed the indirect object after the direct without using a preposition, and don’t use the wrong preposition when the direct object precedes the indirect object.

Ditransitive Verbs Vs Transitive Verbs

The key difference between ditransitive and transitive verbs lies in the number of objects they require. Go through the table for more clarity.

Not all transitive verbs can be used ditransitively (with two objects, a direct and indirect, without a preposition). The ability to be used ditransitively depends on the verb’s inherent semantic structure and how naturally it supports both objects in a single sentence.

20 Examples of Ditransitive Verbs

Here are some ditransitive verb examples with sentences. In the table below, you can identify the verb, direct, and indirect object for each sentence and understand better.

Ditransitive Verbs Worksheet or Practice Questions

Till now, you have explored various examples and understood the rules. Now, it’s time to check your understanding by solving practice questions. This section includes ditransitive verb exercises. You have to read the sentences and then identify their object, direct and indirect. The answer key is also mentioned below, so after solving, cross-check your responses.

Read the sentences and then identify their object, direct and indirect:

1. She sent her friend a postcard.

2. He baked his daughter a cake.

3. They showed the tourists the museum.

4. The teacher explained the concept to the students.

5. Can you pass me the salt?

6. He told her a story.

7. The company offered the employee a bonus.

8. I will buy you a present.

9. Grandma read us a bedtime story.

10. He lent his neighbor a tool. 

Answers for the exercise:

1. Sent (direct object: postcard, indirect object: friend)

2. Baked (direct object: cake, indirect object: daughter)

3. Showed (direct object: museum, indirect object: tourists)

4. Explained (direct object: concept, indirect object: students)

5. Pass (direct object: salt, indirect object: me)

6. Told (direct object: story, indirect object: her)

7. Offered (direct object: bonus, indirect object: employee)

8. Buy (direct object: present, indirect object: you)

9. Read (direct object: story, indirect object: us)

10. Lent (direct object: tool, indirect object: neighbor) 

Conclusion

Now you are clear with the ditransitive verb meaning, rules, examples, structure, etc. Using these verbs often results in more natural-sounding sentences, especially when the indirect object is a person. The direct object is fronted, and the sentence flows better. They enable speakers to indicate who receives something and what is being received in a single verb construction.

Apart from this, knowledge of tenses, adjectives, pronouns, active and passive voice, & other grammatical topics can improve your English. You can read blogs on our website and practice more exercises.

Ditransitive Verbs FAQs

1. What Is a Ditransitive Verb with an Example?

A ditransitive verb is a verb that takes two objects: a direct object and an indirect object. The indirect object usually indicates who or what benefits from the action of the verb. Common examples include verbs like give, send, show, tell, buy, and lend. Read sentences for more clarity.

• She gave him a book.
• He sent his mother a letter.
• Can you tell me a story?
• The teacher showed the students the answers.
• I bought my friend a coffee.
• He brought his family souvenirs from his trip.

2. What Are 10 Examples of Transitive Verbs?

Here are the 10 examples of transitive verbs

1. Write- She writes a letter.
2. Read- He reads a book.
3. Eat- They eat pizza.
4. Build- The company builds houses.
5. Give- She gives him a gift.
6. Take- He takes the train.
7. See- I see the bird.
8. Hear- We hear the music.
9. Make- They make a cake.
10. Buy- I buy groceries.

3. Can a Sentence Have Two Direct Objects?

Yes, a sentence can have two or more direct objects, which is called a compound direct object. This occurs when a single verb has multiple nouns or noun phrases receiving its action.

Here are the examples:

• Riya ate a chocolate and an ice cream. Here, the verb "ate" has two direct objects: "chocolate" and "ice cream".
• He bought a car and a truck. The verb "bought" has two direct objects: "car" and "truck".
• She likes dogs and cats. The verb "likes" has two direct objects: "dogs" and "cats".

4. Is 'Ask' a Ditransitive Verb?

Yes, the verb "ask" can be ditransitive. In sentences where "ask" is used to mean "request" or "address a question to someone," it can take both a direct object (what is being asked) and an indirect object (to whom it is being asked).

5. How to Know If a Verb Is Ditransitive?

A verb is ditransitive if it requires two objects to complete its meaning: a direct object and an indirect object. To identify the ditransitive, look for two objects, identify the direct and indirect object, and check for the possibility of rephrasing.