Definition

This term describes a type of verb that can have two objects: one that receives the action directly and another that receives it indirectly.

Example

In the sentence 'She gave him a book', the verb 'gave' is ditransitive because it has both a direct object ('a book') and an indirect object ('him').

Conversation

I was reading about grammar, and I came across the term ditransitive verbs.

Oh really? What does that mean exactly?

It means they can take both a direct and an indirect object, which is pretty interesting.

That sounds useful to know for writing better sentences!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A type of verb that can take two objects, typically a direct object and an indirect object.

Example

In the sentence 'She gave him a book', 'gave' is a ditransitive verb because it has both a direct object ('a book') and an indirect object ('him').

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a ditransitive verb before?

I think so, but I'm not quite sure what it means.

It's a verb that takes two objects, like 'give' or 'send.'

Root Explanation

Ditransitive → It is formed from "di-" (meaning two) and "transit-" (from Latin "transire", meaning to go across or to pass). The word refers to a verb that takes two objects, indicating an action that goes across to two recipients.

Memory Tip

Think of a verb that 'goes across' ('transit-') to 'two' ('di-') different objects, which helps you remember that 'ditransitive' describes a verb with two objects.

Visually Confused Words