[Grammar] Ditransitive verbs

[Catherine 13]

Hello,

I know that we can use both :
1: John gives Mary the book.
and 2: John gives the book to Mary.

Now I need to know which of these two sentences are wrong and why please , :

1: John gave a new coat of paint to the fence.
2: John gave the fence a new coat of paint.

Thank you

 

[riquecohen]

None of the sentences that you've presented is wrong. I would say, however, that sentence 2, regarding the fence, is more natural than sentence 1. Look here for information about verbs with two objects. Verbs with two objects

BTW, am I the only one who's never heard the term ditransitive verbs?

 

[Catherine 13]

Thank you.

ditransitive verb - Wiktionary

 

[Rover_KE]

BTW, am I the only one who's never heard the term ditransitive verbs?

I had to look it up about a year ago when somebody mentioned the term here, but I had forgotten it again.

Rover

 

[Tdol]

I would say, however, that sentence 2, regarding the fence, is more natural than sentence 1. Look here for information about verbs with two objects.

Maybe it's a BrE thing, but I think sentence 1 sounds more natural, though both are correct.

 

[charliedeut]

BTW, am I the only one who's never heard the term ditransitive verbs?

You're not alone

 

[5jj]

Had you heard of tritransitive verbs?

 

[charliedeut]

Had you heard of tritransitive verbs?

Surely, you already know the answer to that :lol:

 

[Tdol]

And what about decatransitive verbs found in an obscure language I have just made up?

Mind you, ditransitive is a term I have heard often enough. ;-)