Direct and indirect object

Some verbs in active sentences can be followed by both a direct and an indirect object (usually a person). Common verbs include: bring, buy, get, give, leave, lend, make, offer, owe, pass, pay, promise, refuse, send, show, take, teach, tell, write, etc. There are two possible passive forms.

Active sentence: Michael gave the plane tickets to Jill.

• In the second structure in the table above, we sometimes omit the preposition before indirect object pronouns.
✓ Sharon's Rolls-Royce was left (to) her by her grandfather.

• With the verbs explain and suggest, the preposition before indirect object pronouns cannot be omitted. They cannot be used with the first structure in the table above.
✘ I was explained how to drive the train.
✘ How to drive the train was explained me.
✓ How to drive the train was explained to me.