English · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 44
Happy birthday!
Dialogue
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What should I give him?
- EmmaAlex, it's Jack's birthday tomorrow. Are you coming to the party?
- AlexYes! Last year he gave to me a nice book.
- EmmaCareful — when the person comes first, no "to". Say "he gave me a nice book".
- AlexAh! He gave me a nice book. What should I give him?
- EmmaGive him a card and a small gift. Or give a gift to him at the party.
- AlexGood idea. I will give him a cake!
Dialogue
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At the party
- JackEmma, thank you for coming! Everyone gave me lovely presents.
- EmmaHappy birthday, Jack! I made a cake for you.
- JackWow! Did you give a card to Alex too? He looks a little lost.
- EmmaYes, I gave him the address this morning. Look, he brought you a gift!
- JackHow kind! Please pass me that card. I want to read it.
- EmmaHere. Now blow out the candles and make a wish!
Vocabulary
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- party
nounparty
- gift
noungift
- present
nounpresent
- birthday
nounbirthday
- invite
verbinvite
- guest
nounguest
- cake
nouncake
- candle
nouncandle
- celebrate
verbcelebrate
- card
nouncard
- surprise
nounsurprise
- give
verbgive
Grammar
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"give" with two objects: give me a gift / give a gift to me
Explanation
Many verbs of giving take TWO objects: the PERSON who receives, and the THING that is given. English has two ways to order them. Pattern A — person first, no "to": give + PERSON + THING: "I gave her a present", "She gave me a card", "Please give me your number". Pattern B — thing first, with "to": give + THING + "to" + PERSON: "I gave a present to her", "She gave a card to me". Both patterns mean exactly the same thing. Pattern B is handy when the thing is short and the person is new or long: "I gave it to my new teacher". Many verbs behave this way: "give", "send", "show", "tell", "teach", "bring" (and "buy", "make" use "for" instead of "to": "I bought a gift FOR her"). The key rule: in Pattern A, NEVER put "to" before the person. Many learners say "He gave to me a present" (marking the receiver the way their own language does) — but English drops "to" when the person comes first: "He gave to me a present" ✗ → "He gave me a present" ✓. Add "to" only when you switch to Pattern B: "He gave a present to me" ✓.
Examples
- I gave her a gift.I gave her a gift.
- She gave a card to me.She gave a card to me.
- Please give me your phone number.Please give me your phone number.
- They gave the children some cake.They gave the children some cake.
- Can you give this present to Anna?Can you give this present to Anna?
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