Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[wwg139580]

Hello.

Can you tell me whether I should say " I don't know what to buy for him" or " I don't know what to buy him", or both are right? Can you tell me why if possible?

Thank you .

[djgizmoe]

Both are fine. As for why, I'm not sure.

[wwg139580]

thank you,djgizmoe. I don't know if anyone has a different view.

[2006]

1...Both are correct but native speakers usually say the shorter form in situations like this. ('...buy him')

2...The correct question grammar is '...or are both right?'

[Anuradha Chepur]

When an indirect object is placed next to the verb, we don't put a preposition.

I want to buy a gift for him.
I want to buy him a gift.

So, I don't know what to buy him is more natural, but perhaps, for him has come to be acceptable because people have used it.

Put give in place of buy, and you can see it better.

I want to give a gift to him.
I want to give him a gift.

I don't know what to give him.
*I don't know what to give to him.

[wwg139580]

Thank you very much, 2006 and Anuradha Chepur. Your explanations let me see it better.