Giving Verbs With Two Objects

Level 5

Verbs like 'give', 'grant', and 'clothe' in Arabic take two direct objects in the accusative case (al-manṣūb). Unlike other double-object verbs, these two objects do not form a complete sentence on their own.

How It Works

In Arabic, most verbs take one direct object. However, a specific group of verbs known as 'Verbs of Giving' (أفعال المنح والعطاء) take two. Formally, these are known as الأفعال التي تنصب مفعولين ليس أصلهما المبتدأ والخبر (Verbs that take two objects that do not originate as a subject and predicate).

1. The Key Verbs:
Common verbs in this category include:

  • أعطى (to give)
  • منح (to grant/award)
  • وهب (to bestow)
  • كسى / ألبس (to clothe/dress)
  • سأل (to ask for something)
  • منع (to prevent/deprive)
  • حرم (to deprive)
  • رزق (to provide/sustain)

2. The Two-Object Rule:
Both objects are manṣūb (accusative). The first object is the 'Recipient' and the second is the 'Gift'.
Example: أعطيتُ الطالبَ كتاباً (I gave the student a book).
Here, الطالبَ (the student) is the first object, and كتاباً (a book) is the second.

3. Distinction from 'Verbs of Heart':
It is vital to distinguish these from ظنّ وأخواتها. In the أعطى category, if you remove the verb, the two objects do not make sense as a standalone sentence. For example, 'The student [is] a book' is nonsensical, whereas 'The exam [is] easy' (from ظنّ) is a valid sentence.

4. The Passive Voice:
When these verbs are used in the passive voice, the first object (the Recipient) becomes the nā’ib fā‘il and takes the nominative case. The second object (the Gift) remains in the accusative case.
Example: أُعطِيَ الطالبُ كتاباً (The student was given a book).

5. Word Order and Pronouns:
If the objects are pronouns, the first is attached to the verb, and the second is often attached to the particle إيا.
Example: أعطيتُكَ إياهُ (I gave it to you).

Examples (5)

  1. منحَ المديرُ الموظفَ مكافأةً.

    The manager granted the employee a bonus.

    Word by Word: Granted the manager the employee a bonus.

    Here, 'the employee' is the first object and 'a bonus' is the second object. Both are in the accusative case (-a/-an).

  2. كسى الربيعُ الأرضَ خضرةً.

    Spring clothed the earth in greenery.

    Word by Word: Clothed the spring the earth greenery.

    The verb 'Kasā' (to clothe) takes 'the earth' as the first object and 'greenery' as the second.

  3. سألتُ اللهَ العافيةَ.

    I asked God for well-being.

    Word by Word: I asked Allah the well-being.

    When 'Sa'ala' means 'to request', it takes two objects without a preposition.

  4. أعطيتُكَ الكتابَ.

    I gave you the book.

    Word by Word: I gave you the book.

    The first object is the attached pronoun '-ka' (you), and the second is 'the book'.

  5. وهبَ اللهُ الإنسانَ عقلاً.

    God bestowed an intellect upon man.

    Word by Word: Bestowed Allah the human an intellect.

    The verb 'Wahaba' is a formal way to express granting or bestowing a gift.

Common Mistakes

  • Using ل for the recipient where the two-object pattern is expected.

    Different Meaningمنح المدير مكافأةً للموظف.
    منح المديرُ الموظفَ مكافأةً.

    منح المديرُ مكافأةً للموظف is also correct and common. The two-object pattern, منح المديرُ الموظفَ مكافأةً, is the classic construction for these verbs and the one this lesson practices.

  • Failing to put the second object in the accusative case.

    أعطى الأبُ الابنَ نقودٌ.
    أعطى الأبُ الابنَ نقوداً.

    Both objects must be in the accusative (manṣūb). 'Nuqūdun' is nominative; it must be 'nuqūdan'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Giving Verbs With Two ObjectsLevel 5

Learn This First

To understand 'Giving Verbs' (أعطى وأخواتها), you must first be comfortable with the standard direct object (al-maf'ul bihi) and the accusative case (al-mansub), as these verbs require two nouns to be in that state. Familiarity with Form IV verbs (af'ala) is also helpful as many verbs in this category follow that morphological weight.

Words in This Pattern

أعطى