Some verbs let you name the person before the thing or place the thing first and add a preposition. The first two pairs deliberately keep the same meaning while changing the structure.

The idea

With give, use give + person + thing or give + thing + to + person. With buy, use buy + person + thing or buy + thing + for + person. Learn each verb's pattern: the choice of to or for is not freely interchangeable.

Examples

  • Mina gave Omar the spare key.
  • Mina gave the spare key to Omar.
  • We bought Lea a warm scarf.
  • We bought a warm scarf for Lea.
  • Please send it to me.
  • Omar explained the route to us.

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Watch out

Not every verb allows the person-first pattern. In standard English, use explain the route to us, not explain us the route. With a thing pronoun such as it, send it to me is a useful neutral pattern; pronoun ordering varies across varieties.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. Mina gave the spare key ___ Omar. (to / at)

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    to

    To introduces Omar as the recipient of the key. At does not fit this transfer pattern with give.

  2. Choose the correct option. We bought a warm scarf ___ Lea. (for / to)

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    for

    Use for after the thing bought to name its intended beneficiary. The matching pattern is buy Lea a scarf.

  3. Choose the correct option. Omar explained ___ carefully. (the route to us / us the route)

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    the route to us

    Explain takes the thing explained and to before the listener: the route to us. It does not follow the person-first pattern of give here.

Use it today

Write two versions of giving a friend a spare key and two versions of buying a gift for a relative. Underline the person and circle the thing. Then write a request with explain and the correct preposition.