The Printable KISS Grammar Workbooks To Charles Dickens Page
Prepositional Phrases as Indirect Objects
From
Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities
      In a sentence such as “He gave the flower to June,” some grammarians consider “to June” to be an adverbial phrase that modifies “gave.” Others consider “to June” to be a prepositional phrase that functions as an indirect object of “gave.” Either explanation is acceptable.

Part One:

Directions:
1. Place parentheses ( ) around each prepositional phrase. Write "IO" over phrases that function as indirect objects.
2. Underline every verb twice, its subject(s) once, and label any complements ("PA," "PN," "IO," or "DO").

1. The prisoner showed these identical lists to French gentlemen at Calais.

2. I had made a bed for him on the deck near the cabin steps.

3. Monseigneur gave a chivalrous tone to things.

4. It is out of the Consolation and restoration you have brought to me.

5. The door-keeper will pass the note to Mr. Lorry.

6. A voice called to the driver to stop.

7. He desired to show a little attention to an eminent man.

8. Papers and precious matters were this very day brought to us here.

9. A petition was presented to the King and Queen.

10. Mr. Cruncher made the observation to his next neighbour.

Part Two:

     On separate paper, rewrite each of the sentences, but replace the prepositional phrases with normal indirect objects. (Sometimes this version seems awkward.)