Ditransitive verbs are very common in English. It is possible that you might not have heard this name but I promise you that you have been using ditransitive verbs for a long time. In this article, we understand what a ditransitive verb in English is, how it is used in a sentence, and how it is different from a transitive verb.
What are ditransitive verbs?
Ditransitive verbs are action verbs that have two objects: the direct object and the indirect object. The indirect object comes right after the ditransitive verb and just before the direct object.
The meaning of a ditransitive verb can be understood by breaking it into two parts: Di and Transitive.
- Di = two
- Transitive = that has an object
- My father gifted me a car on my last birthday.
The verb gifted is ditransitive. It has two objects in the sentence: an indirect object (me) and a direct object (a car).
Gifted what = a car
Gifted it to whom = me
- She gave him some chocolates.
The verb ‘gave’ in the sentence is ditransitive. It has two objects: him and some chocolates.
She gave what = some chocolates (Direct object)
She gave some chocolates to whom = him (Indirect object)
Note: Ask WHAT to find out the direct object and WHOM or TO/FOR WHOM to find out the indirect object.
Some common ditransitive verbs in English
| get | buy | order | throw |
| give | suggest | buy | sing |
| gift | ask | bring | serve |
| teach | show | hand | sell |
| tell | read | promise | owe |
| guarantee | deny | cost | assign |
| cook | cut | draw | find |
| grant | hand | lend | refuse |
All of these verbs can have two objects, most of these can be used as a transitive verb (have one object), and all of these can be used without any object according to the context.
- He sings well. (no object)
- He is singing an English song. (one object)
- He sang me an English song last night. (two objects)
Notice that the verb has been used as both intransitively and transitively. In the first example, it is used intransitively, meaning it does not have any object. In the second one, it is used as a transitive verb and has one object (an English song), but in the third example, it works as a ditransitive verb as it has two objects: me (indirect) and an English song (direct).
- We don’t serve after 11 pm. (no object)
- Why is he not serving liquor? (one object)
- The waiters haven’t served us anything. (two objects)
More examples of ditransitive verbs:
- My mother taught me how to cook.
Direct object = how to cook
Indirect object = me
- I got the kids their favorite toys.
Direct object = their favorite toys
Indirect object = the kids
- Jacob told us a crazy story about his uncle.
Direct object = a crazy story
Indirect object = us
- Max, my cousin, bought my mother a beautiful dress.
Direct object = a beautiful dress
Indirect object = my mother
- Please suggest me a good movie to watch.
Direct object = a good movie
Indirect object = me
- She asked the teacher a really difficult question.
Direct object = a really difficult question
Indirect object = the teacher
- I will show you my secret diary.
Direct object = my secret diary
Indirect object = you
- The kid read her mother a story.
Direct object = a story
Indirect object = her mother
- My aunt brought us some handmade cookies.
Direct object = some handmade cookies
Indirect object = us
- Hand me that book!
Direct object = that book
Indirect object = me
- You promised us something yesterday.
Direct object = something
Indirect object = us
- Throw me the ball.
Direct object = the ball
Indirect object = me
- Sing me a song, please!
Direct object = a song
Indirect object = me
- You owe her some money.
Direct object = some money
Indirect object = her
Can the direct object come before the indirect object?
Let’s find out together. Let’s take some examples and switch the position of the direct and the indirect object.
She gave him some chocolates.
Jon bought me a phone.
In the above example, the direct objects (some chocolates, and a phone) come after the indirect objects (him, me). Let’s switch the places and see if the sentences still make sense.
She gave some chocolates him. (incorrect)
Jon bought a phone me. (incorrect)
The sentences do not make any sense now. So, it is clear that the direct object can’t be placed before the indirect object. The only possible way to do that is to change the direct object into a prepositional phrase.
She gave some chocolates to him.
Jon bought a phone for me.
Transitive verb vs Ditransitive verb
A ditransitive verb is a type of transitive verb. The difference between the two is that a transitive verb (also known as a monotransitive verb) has one object called the direct object, and a transitive verb takes two objects. Note that a transitive verb (monotransitive) can’t take two objects even if we want it to; it just takes one object.
Also, a transitive verb is looked at as an umbrella term that has two categories of verbs in it: monotransitive verbs and ditransitive verbs. However, in modern English, a transitive verb is considered a verb that takes just one object. The term ‘monotransitive’ is not commonly used by grammarians, English teachers, and learners.
- I love Akira. (transitive)
- I gave Akira my favorite pen. (ditransitive)
| Transitive verb sentence | Object (direct) | Ditransitive verb sentence | Object |
| I love Akira. | Akira | I gave Akira my favorite pen. | my favorite pen (direct) Akira (indirect) |
| We ate pizza last night. | pizza | I have brought you pizza. | pizza (direct) you (indirect) |
| Say something to us now. | something | I would write her a letter every day. | a letter (direct) her (indirect) |
| She slapped her boss. | her boss | Could you sing me my favorite song? | my favorite song (direct) me (indirect) |
FAQs
How do you know if a verb is ditransitive?
A ditransitive verb can easily be identified in a sentence as it is followed by a direct and an indirect object. The direct object can be found by asking ‘what’ to the verb, and the indirect object can be found by asking ‘to whom’ or ‘for whom’ to the verb.
Ex – My friend has given (me) (a beautiful bag).
Given what = a beautiful bag (direct object), Given it to whom = me (indirect object)
Can ditransitive verbs be passive?
Yes, a ditransitive verb can be used in a passive voice. The direct object or the indirect object can become the subject of the sentence in the passive voice.
Active voice: She gave Jon a gaming laptop the other day. (a gaming laptop = direct object, Jon = indirect object)
Passive voice: Jon was given a gaming laptop the other day.
Passive voice: A gaming laptop was given to Jon the other day.
What is the difference between ditransitive and intransitive verbs?
A ditransitive verb is a type of transitive verb. A transitive verb is the complete opposite of an intransitive verb. A transitive verb is a verb that takes an object, and an intransitive verb does not take an object. Also, a ditransitive verb takes two objects: direct and indirect.
Ditransitive verb: I have given you everything. (Direct object = everything, Indirect object = you)
Intransitive verb: Ronnie is sleeping right now.
How do you know if a verb is ditransitive?
A ditransitive verb takes two objects: direct and indirect. A direct object directly receives the action and an indirect object is the one that receives the direct object. If a verb has both a direct and indirect object, it is a ditransitive verb. Asking ‘what’ gives us the direct object and ‘to/for whom’ gives us the indirect object.
Ex – Renna brought me chocolates yesterday.
She brought what = chocolates (direct object)
She brought chocolates for whom = me (indirect object)
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Hey Ashish,
My name is Sudipta and I am pursuing English Major. I have been going through all the topics of Grammar and I have a doubt related to a question.
In the following sentence, could you please help me identify if it is a case of Di-Transitive verb ? Also, could you help detecting the presence of the direct, indirect, or the object complement ?
Q: John helped Meera with her studies.
Hello, Sudipta!
The given example does have a ditransitive verb. The verb ‘help’ can’t take objects.
A ditransitive verb answers both WHAT and WHOM.
Examples of some ditransitive verbs in sentences:
1. I gave him a special gift last night.
‘Give’ is a ditransitive verb here. It has both objects:
Gave what = a special gift (Direct object)
Gave what = him (Indirect object)
2. The teacher got us some mazing notes.
And an object complement is very different from an object. It modifies an object.
Please refer to this lesson to master object complements:
https://youtu.be/pC6bHFRocx8