Verbs with a dative and an accusative object

At the center of every German sentence is the conjugated verb. As well as the subject, many verbs also require an object; in most cases, this is an accusative object.

Some verbs can take a second object as well as the accusative object. The second object is often a dative object. Verbs that take two objects include those related to giving, taking and saying, i.e., geben, schenken, schicken, bringen, zeigen and leihen.

Ich schenke dir ein Wörterbuch.

The subject in the nominative (ich) refers to the person performing the action. (Wer?)

The dative object (dir) is the person who is receiving something. (Wem?)

The accusative object (ein Wörterbuch) describes the item or thing being referred to. (Was?)

In sentences or clauses with two objects, the dative comes before the accusative object when the accusative is not a pronoun.

Ich gebe dir einen Stift.

Ich gebe meinem Vater Schokolade.
Ich gebe ihm Schokolade.

Ich gebe meiner Mutter eine DVD.
ich gebe ihr eine DVD.

Ich gebe meinen Eltern ein Bild.
Ich gebe ihnen ein Bild.

The dative object can be either a noun or a pronoun. If you need to, go through the personal pronouns in the dative again.