English grammar
Gave it back to you — verb, object, then 'to' + person
Say who gave what back to whom.
From the scene He gave it back to you
In short
Keep the order verb + it / them + back + to + person: he gave it back to me.
Your turn
Which one goes with it before back?
Options: I gave it back to you · he gave it back to me (NOT "gave back it to me") · he gave it back to you (to + person at the end)
Show answer
it before back → he gave it back to me (NOT "gave back it to me")
How it works
English keeps a fixed order: verb + it/them + back + to + person: he gave it back to me, I didn't give them back to him.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Don Ramón gave it back (blank) last night, remember?
Options: to you · you · at you
Show answer
Don Ramón gave it back to you last night, remember?
Don Ramón se lo devolvió anoche, ¿recuerda?
Good to know
Don't drop to before the person. It or them goes before back: NOT "gave back it".
to + person at the end he gave it back to you (to + person at the end)
it before back he gave it back to me (NOT "gave back it to me")
Nuria
Three: my plant. He gave it back to me too.
Tres: mi planta. Me la devolvió también.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Three: my plant. (blank) too.
Options: I gave it back to you · He gave it back to me · He gave it back to you
Show answer
Nuria
Three: my plant. He gave it back to me too.
Tres: mi planta. Me la devolvió también.
I: same order I gave it back to you
Ramón
I gave it back to you at eight. And very clean!
Se la devolví a las ocho. ¡Y muy limpia!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) at eight. And very clean!
Options: He gave it back to you · He gave it back to me · I gave it back to you
Show answer
Ramón
I gave it back to you at eight. And very clean!
Se la devolví a las ocho. ¡Y muy limpia!
question: them back to him Did you give them back to him?
Nuria
Did you give them back to him?
¿Se los devolvió?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)?
Options: He gave it back to you · He gave it back to me · Did you give them back to him
Show answer
Nuria
Did you give them back to him?
¿Se los devolvió?
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
| to + person at the end | he gave it back to you (to + person at the end) |
|---|---|
| it before back | he gave it back to me (NOT "gave back it to me") |
| I: same order | I gave it back to you |
| question: them back to him | Did you give them back to him? |
More lines from the story
- NuriaDon Ramón gave it back to you last night, remember?Don Ramón se lo devolvió anoche, ¿recuerda?
- RamónBecause... I ate them.Porque... me los comí.
- RamónWell... no. I didn’t give them back to him.Pues... no. No se los devolví.