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10.3 Position of direct and indirect object

In English the position of the direct and indirect object depends on the level of substitution:

	a)	I give the book to the woman.	and not	I give to the woman the book.
	b)	I give it to the woman	and not	I give to the woman it.
	c)	I give her the book.	or	I give the book to her.
	d)	I give it to her.	and not	I give her it.

In a) there is no substitution: the direct object is before the indirect object
in b) there is only the direct object substituted: the direct object is before the indirect object
in c) there is only the indirect object substituted: the direct object is before the indirect object with a         preposition; the indirect object can be - without a preposition - before the direct object
in d) both objects are substitute: the direct object is before the indirect object (used with a preposition)

In German the rule is: the indirect object is before the direct object.

The other way around it sounds very poetic and archaic. It would not be used in everyday life.

Ich schenke der Frau das Buch.

not

Ich schenke das Buch der Frau.

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