Ditransitive verbs

Definition

Ditransitive verbs are action verbs that can take two objects: a direct object and an indirect object. This means they can show a relationship where something is given, sent, or shown to someone. The presence of both objects is essential for the complete meaning of the action being described.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ditransitive verbs typically follow a structure where the subject performs an action on the indirect object, which in turn receives the direct object.
2. Common examples of ditransitive verbs include 'give', 'send', and 'show'. For instance, in 'She gave him a book', 'him' is the indirect object and 'a book' is the direct object.
3. When constructing sentences with ditransitive verbs, it's possible to omit the indirect object if it is clear from context; for example, 'She gave a book' still makes sense without mentioning 'him'.
4. In English, ditransitive verbs often allow for alternative structures, like placing the indirect object after the direct object: 'She gave a book to him'.
5. Understanding how to identify ditransitive verbs helps clarify sentence structure and enhances overall comprehension of how actions and objects relate in communication.

Review Questions

• How do ditransitive verbs differ from other types of verbs in terms of their object requirements?
  • Ditransitive verbs stand out because they need both a direct object and an indirect object to fully convey their meaning. This distinguishes them from intransitive verbs, which do not take objects at all, and from transitive verbs, which require only a direct object. The presence of two objects allows ditransitive verbs to illustrate actions that involve giving or transferring something to someone.
• What are some common examples of ditransitive verbs, and how can their structures vary in sentences?
  • Some common examples of ditransitive verbs include 'give', 'send', and 'tell'. Their structures can vary; for instance, in the sentence 'She gave him a book', 'him' is the indirect object and 'a book' is the direct object. Alternatively, you can rearrange it to say 'She gave a book to him', which maintains the same meaning while placing the indirect object after the direct object. This flexibility shows how ditransitive verbs can operate within different sentence constructions.
• Evaluate how recognizing ditransitive verbs can enhance comprehension and clarity in writing.
  • Recognizing ditransitive verbs allows writers and readers to better understand complex sentences that involve multiple objects. By identifying these verbs, one can clarify relationships between actions and recipients, making communication more precise. Furthermore, awareness of their flexibility in structure helps writers craft sentences that flow well and avoid ambiguity, ultimately leading to clearer expression of ideas.

Related terms

Direct Object:

The noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb directly, answering the questions 'what?' or 'whom?'.

Indirect Object: The noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed, typically placed between the verb and the direct object.

Transitive Verbs:

Verbs that require one or more objects to complete their meaning, which may be either direct or indirect.