English grammar
Double objects: verb + person + thing
Say who you bought or are giving a present to.
From the scene I bought her a present
In short
Put the person straight after the verb: buy her a jumper. If the person comes last, add to or for.
Your turn
Which one goes with bought + name + thing?
Options: I bought Diego a book · I'm going to give her a jumper · I bought them chocolates
Show answer
bought + name + thing → I bought Diego a book
How it works
English puts the person straight after the verb, with no "to": give her a jumper, buy him a book, buy them chocolates. Not "I bought to her a jumper".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I (blank) Diego a football book.
Options: bought · bought to · gave to
Show answer
I bought Diego a football book.
A Diego le compré un libro de fútbol.
Good to know
If the person goes last, add to or for: give a jumper to her, buy a book for him.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
How generous. And what did you buy (blank)?
Options: to me · I · me
Show answer
How generous. And what did you buy me?
Qué generosa. ¿Y a mí, qué me compraste?
give + her + thing I'm going to give her a jumper
Nuria
Almost. My mum's easy: I'm going to give her a jumper.
Casi. Mi madre es fácil: le voy a regalar un jersey.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Almost. My mum's easy: (blank).
Options: I bought them chocolates · I'm going to give her a jumper · I bought Diego a book
Show answer
Nuria
Almost. My mum's easy: I'm going to give her a jumper.
Casi. Mi madre es fácil: le voy a regalar un jersey.
bought + name + thing I bought Diego a book
Your turn
What goes with I bought Diego a book?
Options: bought + them + thing · bought + name + thing · give + her + thing
Show answer
I bought Diego a book → bought + name + thing
bought + them + thing I bought them chocolates
Nuria
I bought them chocolates from the market.
A ellos les compré chocolatinas del mercado.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) from the market.
Options: I bought them chocolates · I'm going to give her a jumper · I bought Diego a book
Show answer
Nuria
I bought them chocolates from the market.
A ellos les compré chocolatinas del mercado.
✗ no to after the verb ✓ I bought her a jumper / a jumper for her
Your turn
What goes with ✓ I bought her a jumper / a jumper for her?
Options: ✗ no to after the verb · give + her + thing · bought + name + thing
Show answer
✓ I bought her a jumper / a jumper for her → ✗ no to after the verb
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| give + her + thing | I'm going to give her a jumper |
|---|---|
| bought + name + thing | I bought Diego a book |
| bought + them + thing | I bought them chocolates |
| ✗ no to after the verb | ✓ I bought her a jumper / a jumper for her |
More lines from the story
- NuriaI bought Diego a football book.A Diego le compré un libro de fútbol.
- JaviHow generous. And what did you buy me?Qué generosa. ¿Y a mí, qué me compraste?
- NuriaBut it needs wrapping. Will you help me, please?Pero hay que envolverlo. ¿Me ayudas, por favor?
- JaviHave you bought the Christmas Eve presents yet?¿Ya compraste los regalos de Nochebuena?