Dative Alternation Quiz
10 multiple-choice questions on double object verbs like give, tell and buy, the to/for prepositions they use, and the verbs like explain that never allow a double object.
This quiz checks how confidently you can apply dative alternation at B1-B2 level, with questions built around real double-object sentences and their prepositional equivalents rather than abstract rule statements. Each question presents a full example sentence, so you have to judge which word order or preposition fits correctly instead of recalling a rule in isolation. Read the full Dative Alternation grammar guide first if you need a refresher.
If a question catches you out, the FAQ section below explains the underlying rule in more detail, including the classic "Explain me the problem" mistake that trips up even advanced learners. Reviewing the explanation immediately after an incorrect answer, then retrying the quiz on a different day, builds more durable grammar knowledge than repeating the same 10 questions back to back.
Dative Alternation — FAQ
What is dative alternation?
Dative alternation is the term for the two word orders that many English verbs allow when they have both a direct object (the thing) and an indirect object (the recipient or beneficiary). For example, "She gave her sister a gift" (double object) and "She gave a gift to her sister" (prepositional dative) mean the same thing and are both correct.
What are the two patterns for double object verbs?
Pattern 1 is the double-object pattern: Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object, as in "He told me a story." Pattern 2 is the prepositional dative: Verb + Direct Object + to/for + Indirect Object, as in "He told a story to me." Both patterns are grammatical for verbs that allow the alternation.
Which verbs use "to" and which use "for"?
Verbs describing a transfer to a recipient use "to": give, tell, send, show, offer, teach, lend, pay, promise, write, read, sell, hand, throw, pass. Verbs describing an action done on someone's behalf use "for": buy, get, make, cook, find, book, order, build, fetch, pour, choose, save, reserve. Memorising which group a verb belongs to prevents mixing up the two prepositions.
Why is "Explain me the problem" wrong?
"Explain" belongs to a small group of verbs — including describe, suggest, say, announce, demonstrate, admit, mention, introduce and recommend — that never allow the double-object pattern. These verbs always require "to" (or occasionally another preposition) before the recipient: "Explain the problem to me," not "Explain me the problem." This is one of the most common errors among ESL learners.
Why is "Describe me the house" incorrect?
Like "explain," the verb "describe" cannot take a double object. It only accepts a direct object followed by "to" plus the recipient: "Describe the house to me." Many learners produce "Describe me the house" by analogy with verbs like "tell" (which does allow a double object: "Tell me about the house"), but "describe" simply does not follow that pattern.
When should I use "Give it to me" instead of "Give me it"?
When the direct object is a pronoun such as "it" or "them," the prepositional pattern with "to" or "for" is strongly preferred in standard English: "Give it to me," "Pass them to her." The double-object version with a pronoun direct object ("Give me it") is unusual in most varieties of English, though it is heard in some British dialects; it is best avoided in general writing and speech.
Does word order affect emphasis in these sentences?
Yes. The element placed at the end of the sentence tends to carry more focus or "new information" weight. "I gave John the keys" emphasises what John received, while "I gave the keys to John" emphasises who received them. Choosing the pattern that puts the more important or newer information last makes a sentence read more naturally.
Why does a long indirect object usually go after "to" or "for"?
When the indirect object is long or introduces detailed new information, English strongly prefers to place it at the end, after "to" or "for," rather than squeezing it into the middle of the sentence. "She gave a gift to the woman who had just moved in next door" sounds far more natural than "She gave the woman who had just moved in next door a gift."
Can all verbs with two objects use both patterns?
No. Verbs like give, tell, send, buy and make allow both patterns. But a separate group of verbs — explain, describe, suggest, say, announce, demonstrate, admit, mention, introduce and recommend — only allow the prepositional pattern with "to," and never the double-object pattern. It's important to learn these to-only verbs as a distinct list.
What level is dative alternation typically taught at?
Dative alternation and double object verbs are typically introduced around B1 level, once learners are comfortable with basic sentence structure, and refined at B2 level when learners work on natural word order, emphasis and the important exceptions like explain and describe. It is a common source of errors well beyond B2 because of first-language interference.