Double Object Construction

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

• Argument (definition)
• Indirect Object (definition)
• Double Object Construction (definition)