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Pter Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Order of direct object and indirect object
I would like to know if which of the following is more common or preferred.
1a. Please read me a book.
1b. Please read a book to me.
2a. Call me an ambulance.
2b. Call an ambulance for me.
3a. He sold my wife a cake.
3b. He sold a cake to my wife.
In general, are the following equivalent in all situations? Are there cases we can only use either A or B?
A. [Subject] [verb] [indirect object] [direct object].
B. [Subject] [verb] [prepositional phrase].
Thank you very much.
1a. Please read me a book.
1b. Please read a book to me.
2a. Call me an ambulance.
2b. Call an ambulance for me.
3a. He sold my wife a cake.
3b. He sold a cake to my wife.
In general, are the following equivalent in all situations? Are there cases we can only use either A or B?
A. [Subject] [verb] [indirect object] [direct object].
B. [Subject] [verb] [prepositional phrase].
Thank you very much.
Top answer
I would like to know if which of the following is more common or preferred. I can only give you what I think I prefer. I don't think the preferences are very strong, as both are correct in each pair.
- I would like to know if which of the following is more common or preferred.
- I can only give you what I think I prefer.
- I don't think the preferences are very strong, as both are correct in each pair.
- 1a.
- Please read me a book.
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3 Answers
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I would like to know if which of the following is more common or preferred.
I can only give you what I think I prefer. I don't think the preferences are very strong, as both are correct in each pair.
1a. Please read me a book.
1b. Please read a book to me. <<<
2a. Call me an ambulance.
I can only give you what I think I prefer. I don't think the preferences are very strong, as both are correct in each pair.
1a. Please read me a book.
1b. Please read a book to me. <<<
2a. Call me an ambulance.
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Strictly, IOs only precede DOs ('Read me a book'). If they follow the DO and are themselves preceded by a preposition, they are prepositional objects, not indirect objects. However, I understand your question. These (as amended) are both correct, common, equivalent and interchangeable in your examples:
A. [Subject] [verb] [indirect object] [direct object].
B. [Subject] [verb] [d
A. [Subject] [verb] [indirect object] [direct object].
B. [Subject] [verb] [d
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