Using transitive and intransitive verbs

Transitive verbs with two objects

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Transitive verbs with two objects: passive voice

Transitive verbs which have two objects can normally have two passive versions:

I'll send you a letter. S                 IO        DO	active voice
You will be sent a letter.   S	passive voice (1)
A letter will be sent to you.        S	passive voice (2)

From the above examples, it can be seen that the passive voice can be formed in two ways: the indirect object of the active voice clause can be made the subject of the clause; or the direct object of the active voice clause can be made the subject of the clause.

The reason why a speaker or writer might choose to express the same idea in one of two passive versions is related to the way known (or "given") and new information is distributed in a clause. In English, speakers typically put the given information at the beginning of the clause, and the new information at the end. Note that information which appears at the end of a clause is ordinarily given more emphasis. Compare these two passive versions:

You will be sent a letter.

A letter will be sent to you.

In the first passive version the emphasis is on the letter itself whereas in the second version the emphasis has been moved to you .

For further information about forming the passive of ditransitive verbs, see Using passive voice: Passive voice with ditransitive verbs.

Introduction
Form and behaviour of transitive verbs with two objects
A list of verbs which commonly take two objects
Transitive verbs with two objects: passive voice