Grammar › Passive Voice › Passive with Two Objects
Passive with Two Objects
Verbs with two objects (give, send, offer, show…) allow two passives:
- Person as subject (more natural) — I was given a prize.
- Thing as subject (less common) — A prize was given to me.
When the thing is the subject, add 'to' before the person: A letter was sent to her. Common verbs: give, send, offer, tell, show, pay, teach, lend, promise.
Two objects, two passives
Active: They gave me a prize. (me = person, a prize = thing)
| Passive | Naturalness | Example |
|---|---|---|
| person as subject | more natural | I was given a prize. |
| thing as subject | less common (+ to) | A prize was given to me. |
Common two-object verbs: give, send, offer, tell, show, pay, teach, lend, promise.
When and how to use it
1. Person as subject — the usual choice
- She was offered a new job. We were told the news. He’s been paid already.
2. Thing as subject — add ‘to’ (or ‘for’)
- A letter was sent to every member. A cake was made for the winners.
3. Any tense works
- I have been given a second chance. They will be shown the results tomorrow.
⚠️ Don’t drop the ‘to’ when the thing is the subject: A medal was given to the runner (not
given the runner).
Common mistakes
1. Repeating both objects. I was given me a book → I was given a book.
2. No ‘to’ with the thing first. A prize was given me → A prize was given to me (or I was given a prize).
3. Unnatural thing-first passive. A job was offered to her (when the person is the point) → She was offered a job.
✏️ Practice: Passive with Two Objects
1. Make it passive (person first): 'They gave me a medal.'
2. Make it passive (thing first): 'They sent her a parcel.'
3. 'The company offered him a job.' → (natural passive)
4. 'Someone has told us the news.' → (person first)
5. Add the missing word: 'A letter was sent ___ every customer.'
6. 'They will show the visitors the garden.' → (person first, future)
7. Choose the correct version of: 'I was given me a second chance.'
8. Choose the correct version of: 'A prize was given the winner.'
9. Which passive is usually more natural in English?
10. Which verb does NOT normally take two objects?
11. Complete the sentence
The teacher showed the students a video. → The students ___ a video.
Type the passive verb.
12. Correct the mistake
I was given me a book.
Type the whole corrected sentence.
13. Complete the sentence
They sent her a parcel. → A parcel ___ her.
Type the missing words.
Frequently asked questions
Which verbs have two objects?
Verbs like give, send, offer, tell, show, pay, teach, lend, promise: They gave the winner a medal (the winner = person, a medal = thing).
Which passive is more natural?
Usually the one starting with the person: She was offered a job (rather than 'A job was offered to her'), because English likes to put people first.
Why is there a 'to' in 'A prize was given to me'?
When the thing becomes the subject, the person needs 'to' (or 'for'): The message was sent to him; A cake was made for us.
Can both objects stay after the verb in the passive?
One becomes the subject; the other stays: 'I was given a book' — 'a book' remains. You don't repeat both as objects.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Passive with Two Objects”:
- Can form both passives from a two-object verb (CEFR B2).
- Can prefer the person-as-subject version where natural.
- Can add 'to' before the person when the thing is the subject.
⬇︎ Download the Lesson Pack (PDF)
Printable worksheet + answer key + one-page summary. Free to use and print in class with attribution. Join the newsletter for new packs and cheat sheets.