Passive Verbs with Two Objects
Learn how to use passive sentences when verbs have both a direct and an indirect object.
- check_circleI can form passive sentences with verbs that have two objects.
- check_circleI can understand the difference between the two passive structures.
Discover
Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.
Interviewer: So, congratulations on your new role! Can you tell us how you got started? Emma: Well, I was offered a job by a small tech company right after graduation. I didn’t apply; it was offered to me because they saw my university project. Interviewer: That’s impressive. Did they give you any special training? Emma: Yes, I was given a lot of support during my first few months. A mentor was assigned to me, and he helped me navigate the difficult tasks. Interviewer: It sounds like you were treated very well. Emma: Absolutely. Recently, I was promised a promotion, and a new project was handed to me. It’s been a great experience! I was sent several applications to review for new hires too. They were given to me because they trust my judgment now. Interviewer: They clearly value you. Have you been given any feedback? Emma: Yes, positive feedback is given to me regularly.
Learn
Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.
Some verbs in English, like give, send, offer, promise, show, and tell, can take two objects: a direct object (the thing) and an indirect object (the person receiving the thing).
Active: They gave me the book.
- Indirect object: me
- Direct object: the book
When we change these sentences to the passive voice, we can make either object the subject of the new sentence. This gives us two possible passive structures.
1. Person as the Subject (More Common)
It is usually more natural in English to make the person (the indirect object) the subject of the passive sentence.
Active: The company offered Sarah a job. Passive: Sarah was offered a job (by the company).
2. Thing as the Subject
We can also make the thing (the direct object) the subject. When we do this, we must use a preposition (usually to or for) before the person.
Active: The company offered Sarah a job. Passive: A job was offered to Sarah (by the company).
Verbs like give, send, hand, lend, offer, promise, read, teach, throw, write usually take the preposition to. Verbs like buy, fetch, find, get, make, order, save usually take the preposition for.
Common mistake: Don’t forget the preposition if you make the thing the subject!
Incorrect: A job was offered Sarah.
Correct: A job was offered to Sarah.
Practice with other verbs
- Active: Someone sent him a package.
- Passive 1 (Person): He was sent a package.
- Passive 2 (Thing): A package was sent to him.
Another example with a different preposition:
- Active: A stranger bought her a coffee.
- Passive 1 (Person): She was bought a coffee.
- Passive 2 (Thing): A coffee was bought for her.
- Two objects: Active sentences with verbs like give often have a person and a thing as objects.
- Two passives: Either the person or the thing can be the subject of the passive sentence.
- Person subject: The most common form (e.g., I was given a book).
- Thing subject: Needs a preposition like to or for before the person (e.g., A book was given to me).
Practice
Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.
Use It
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Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?