Double Object Construction

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For a definition of the double object construction see Double Object Construction (definition)

Not found in Gaelic

Gaelic does not have double object constructions like (1)-(2), as can be seen in (3)-(4). Instead, the indirect object must appear after the direct object and must be contained in a prepositional phrase as in (5)-(6).

  1. Tako gave Zelda the cake
  2. Dave bought Melissa the flowers


3. (ungrammatical!)

*Thug Morag Bill leabhar
give.Pst Morag Bill a book
'Morag gave Bill a book.'

4. (ungrammatical!)

*Bhruich Morag Màiri ugh
cook.Pst Morag Mary an egg
'Morag cooked May an egg.'

5.

Thug Morag leabhar do Bhill
give.Pst Morag a book to Bill
'Morag gave a book to Bill.'

6.

Bhruich Morag ugh airson Màiri
cook.Pst Morag an egg for Màiri
'Morag cooked an egg for Mary.'

Note the different prepositions (i.e. to and for) used in (5) and (6).

See Also

External Links

References