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Lesson Plan June 27, 2025

Topic: Word Order 1: Object, Time and Place

In this lesson we will review and practice the word order of the object, time and place in a sentence.

Section A: verb + object

In a sentence, the verb and object usually go together.

• I found (verb) my keys (object)

• I never meet my friends during the week.

• Can you see me now?

Section B: place + time

We usually put place and time together after the object.

• I found my keys (object) at work (place) this morning (time).

• I’m staying at home tonight.

• I’ve never been to Canada during winter.

We can also put time at the beginning of the sentence.

• Tonight I’m staying at home.

Section C: indirect object with ‘to’

We usually put the direct object before the indirect object with ‘to’

• I sent the email (direct object) to her (indirect object) this morning.

Section D: indirect object without ‘to’

We usually put the direct object after an indirect object without ‘to’

• I sent her (indirect object) the email (direct object) this morning.

Lesson Notes

• Both of these sentences are grammatically correct, but the comma in 2 makes it easier to read and reflects natural speech pauses

• 1. At the beginning of the week we had a meeting at school.

• 2. At the beginning of the week, we had a meeting at school.

• The forms “Give A B” or “Give B to A” are both very common and widely used in English, but their usage differs slightly:

• 1. “give A B” (Indirect object before direct object, no “to”)

• More common in spoken and informal English. Used when the indirect object (the person receiving) is a pronoun or a person. Usually used with people or animals as the indirect object.

• I gave her the book.

• He gave me the keys.

• 2. “give B to A” (Direct object before indirect object, with “to”)

• More common in formal writing and speech, or when the indirect object is a long phrase, a thing, or less personal. This form adds clarity, especially if the indirect object is longer or more complex.

• I gave the book to the librarian.

• He gave the keys to the security guard.

• Generally we use the rule, “object + place + time”, while it might be possible to use “object + time + place”; the meaning can change

• 1. I’m going to invite the family to dinner on Sunday.

• Meaning: The dinner is on Sunday.

• You are inviting them now or soon, and the dinner will happen on Sunday.

• 2. I’m going to invite the family on Sunday to dinner.

• Meaning: You will invite them on Sunday, and the dinner could be on another day (not necessarily Sunday).

• Less natural — the placement of “on Sunday” makes it sound like that’s when the invitation happens, not the dinner.