Start with a real moment.
A colleague needs the meeting notes. You can say “I’ll send you the notes” or “I’ll send the notes to you.” Both identify a thing and a recipient, but the word order changes. Choosing the structure becomes easier when you learn the verb together with its usual pattern.
See how the sentence works.
Subject + verb + person + thing
Read the sentence as one idea, then notice the job each part does.
Understand the choices.
With give, send, lend and show, the person can come directly after the verb: “Please lend me your pen.” In this order, do not add to before the person. The second object is the thing being transferred or shown.
You can often put the thing first and introduce the recipient with to: “She showed the plan to us.” When the thing is a pronoun, this version is usually more natural: “Send it to me.” Learn this as a useful everyday chunk.
Buy and make often use for when the person benefits: “I bought a ticket for my sister.” Do not extend this pattern to every verb. Say “describe the place to me” and “explain the rule to her,” not “describe me the place” or “explain her the rule.”
Useful sentences, in context.
Could you give me a minute?
A minute is what you are asking for.
I made dinner for everyone.
For shows who benefits from the action.
Please forward it to Nina.
The thing pronoun it comes before to Nina.
A small change makes a difference.
AvoidPlease send me it.
UsePlease send it to me.
Thing pronouns generally sound more natural before to + person.
A MOMENT TO PRACTISE
Your turn.
Choose an answer, then check the explanation. There is no timer and nothing to sign up for.
TAKE IT INTO YOUR DAY
Make it yours.
Think of three things you could send, give or show a colleague. Write each sentence both ways, then practise “Send it to me” aloud.
Further reading · Cambridge Dictionary — English Grammar Today
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