Verbs that take both a dative and accusative object
Can use verbs with both dative and accusative objects
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Ich schenke meiner Mutter Blumen.
I give my mother flowers.
Kannst du mir das Salz geben?
Can you pass me the salt?
Er zeigt den Touristen die Stadt.
He shows the tourists the city.
Sie hat es ihm schon erklärt.
She already explained it to him.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Many verbs take two objects: dative (recipient) and accusative (thing).
| Verb | Dativ (Wem?) | Akkusativ (Was?) |
|---|---|---|
| geben | dem Kind | den Ball |
| schenken | meiner Mutter | Blumen |
| zeigen | dem Touristen | den Weg |
| erklären | den Schülern | die Aufgabe |
| bringen | dem Gast | ein Getränk |
Common: geben, schenken, zeigen, erklären, bringen, schicken, leihen, empfehlen, erzählen, kaufen, kochen, schreiben.
Word order — nouns: Dative before accusative. Pronouns: Accusative before dative. Mixed: Pronoun first.
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Practice ExercisesIncorrect verb ending for the subject
Review verb conjugation tables and practice matching endings to pronouns
Forgot stem vowel change in irregular verbs
Practice stem-changing verbs (e→i, e→ie, a→ä) with flashcards
Verb placed in wrong position
Remember: V2 in main clauses, verb-final in subordinate clauses
Ich schenke meiner Mutter Blumen.
I give my mother flowers.
Dative before accusative.
Kannst du mir das Salz geben?
Can you pass me the salt?
Pronoun (mir) before noun (das Salz).
Er zeigt den Touristen die Stadt.
He shows the tourists the city.
Dative plural before accusative.
Sie hat es ihm schon erklärt.
She already explained it to him.
Both pronouns: acc (es) before dat (ihm).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises