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Sentences with Two Objects

Introduction

Some verbs take two objects - a direct object (thing) and an indirect object (person). These are often called ditransitive verbs. When converting such sentences to passive voice, either object can become the subject.

This pattern is important because exam questions often test whether you know which object can be used as the subject in the passive form.

Pattern: Sentences with Two Objects

Pattern

When a verb has two objects, the passive voice can start with either one of them.

Example verbs: give, send, offer, tell, show, promise, teach, lend, pay, write.

Active: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
Passive 1: Indirect Object + be + V3 + Direct Object + by + Subject
Passive 2: Direct Object + be + V3 + to/for + Indirect Object + by + Subject

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Convert into passive voice:
She gave him a gift.

Options:
A. He was given a gift by her.
B. A gift gave him by her.
C. He gave a gift to her.
D. A gift is giving by her.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify both objects.

    Indirect Object = him; Direct Object = a gift.

  2. Step 2: Choose either object as the new subject.

    Option 1 → Start with him; Option 2 → Start with a gift.

  3. Step 3: Apply passive structure.

    Formula → Object + was + V3 + by + Subject.

  4. Step 4: Write both possible forms.

    1️⃣ He was given a gift by her.
    2️⃣ A gift was given to him by her.

  5. Step 5: Choose the one matching the given options.

    The correct sentence is He was given a gift by her.

  6. Final Answer:

    He was given a gift by her. → Option A.

  7. Quick Check:

    Both forms are grammatically correct, but Option A matches the provided structure. ✅

Quick Variations

Examples of Passive Forms with Two Objects
Active VoicePassive (Indirect Object as Subject)Passive (Direct Object as Subject)
She sent me a letter.I was sent a letter by her.A letter was sent to me by her.
He taught us English.We were taught English by him.English was taught to us by him.
The company offered him a job.He was offered a job by the company.A job was offered to him by the company.
They showed me the report.I was shown the report by them.The report was shown to me by them.
She wrote me a letter.I was written to by her.A letter was written to me by her.

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Identify both objects (person & thing).
  • Step 2: You can start passive with either one.
  • Step 3: Use to or for when the indirect object is placed after the direct object.
  • Step 4: Ensure the correct verb form (be + V₃).

Summary

Summary

  • Verbs like give, tell, offer, and show take two objects.
  • Both the direct and indirect objects can form a passive voice sentence.
  • Use “to” or “for” to connect indirect objects when the direct object comes first.
  • Quick check: both passive forms must sound grammatically natural.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Convert into passive voice:<br>She sent me a letter.
easy
A. I was sent a letter by her.
B. A letter sent me by her.
C. A letter was sent to me by her.
D. She was sent a letter by me.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify objects.

    Indirect object = me, direct object = a letter.

  2. Step 2: Make the indirect object the subject.

    Me → I.

  3. Step 3: Form passive.

    Use was/were + past participle → I was sent a letter.

  4. Step 4: Add the agent.

    → by her.

  5. Final Answer:

    I was sent a letter by her. → Option A.

  6. Quick Check:

    Alternate correct form is A letter was sent to me by her. ✅
Hint: Either object can become the subject; use no preposition if the person is first.
Common Mistakes: Incorrect word order or wrong subject form for indirect object.
2. Change into passive voice:<br>He gave her a book.
easy
A. She was given a book by him.
B. A book gave her by him.
C. A book was given to her by him.
D. She gave a book to him.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify objects.

    Indirect = her, Direct = a book.

  2. Step 2: Start passive with the person (indirect object).

    → She.

  3. Step 3: Form passive tense.

    Use was + past participle → She was given a book.

  4. Step 4: Add agent.

    → by him.

  5. Final Answer:

    She was given a book by him. → Option A.

  6. Quick Check:

    Alternate correct form: A book was given to her by him. ✅
Hint: Place person first to avoid 'to'.
Common Mistakes: Forgetting the auxiliary 'was'.
3. Choose the correct passive form:<br>The teacher taught us English.
easy
A. We were taught English by the teacher.
B. English was taught us by the teacher.
C. English was taught to us by the teacher.
D. We taught English by the teacher.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify objects.

    Indirect = us, Direct = English.

  2. Step 2: Choose direct object as subject for passive.

    → English.

  3. Step 3: Use passive with 'to' for indirect object.

    Form: English was taught to us.

  4. Step 4: Add agent.

    → by the teacher.

  5. Final Answer:

    English was taught to us by the teacher. → Option C.

  6. Quick Check:

    When the direct object becomes subject, remember to add to/for before the person. ✅
Hint: If thing becomes subject, add 'to/for' before the person.
Common Mistakes: Omitting 'to' when the thing is the subject in passive.
4. Convert into passive voice:<br>The company offered him a job.
medium
A. A job offered to him by the company.
B. He was offered a job by the company.
C. A job was offered to him by the company.
D. He offered a job by the company.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify objects.

    Indirect = him, Direct = a job.

  2. Step 2: Make the indirect object the subject.

    → He.

  3. Step 3: Form passive.

    Use was + past participle → He was offered a job.

  4. Step 4: Add agent.

    → by the company.

  5. Final Answer:

    He was offered a job by the company. → Option B.

  6. Quick Check:

    Alternate correct form is A job was offered to him by the company. ✅
Hint: Prefer person-first passive to avoid 'to'.
Common Mistakes: Incorrect verb form or missing 'was'.
5. Find the correct passive form:<br>They showed me the way.
medium
A. The way was shown me by them.
B. I was shown the way to them.
C. The way showed to me by them.
D. The way was shown to me by them.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify objects.

    Indirect = me, Direct = the way.

  2. Step 2: Make the direct object the subject.

    → The way.

  3. Step 3: Use passive with 'to' for the person.

    Form: The way was shown to me.

  4. Step 4: Add agent.

    → by them.

  5. Final Answer:

    The way was shown to me by them. → Option D.

  6. Quick Check:

    Correct passive with thing as subject uses to before the person. ✅
Hint: When the thing is subject, insert 'to/for' before the person.
Common Mistakes: Using incorrect past participle or missing 'to'.

Mock Test

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