Pattern 3: subject + verb + object + object

Some verbs, like want, must have an object. But there is a group of verbs that need not one object, but two different kinds of object. This sentence has a subject a verb and an object, but something is missing:
Elephants give children...
We are left asking, 'Elephants give children what?' Verbs like give need a second object:

Rides is the direct object - it is what the elephants give. Children is the indirect object because the children are the ones who benefit from the rides - the people that the rides are being given to. You can always tell this type of sentence because it can be turned round like this:

Many verbs that refer to the action of passing something from one person or thing to another work in this way. Examples are pass and show:

©John Seely 2008