He gave a book to you

Question

He gave a book to you - He gave it to you

He gave you a book - He gave you it ????

I am realising that when I try to replace "a book" by "it" the fourth sentence does not sound good. Is it possible to say "he gave you it"?

I love your questions, Nila. - Goyo, Mar 20, 2010

Answer 1

I don't think "He gave you it." is grammatically incorrect.

It is perfectly understandable. However, it does sound more awkward. It is something you would hear a child say or something heard in a very informal setting. It is not something you would use when writing or saying something more formal.

You'll sound like someone who doesn't quite know English if you say it that way. - Goyo, Mar 20, 2010

Exactly. - Nicole-B, Mar 20, 2010

Answer 2

You're right. We wouldn't say the fourth one, but the other three are correct.

Answer 3

"He gave you it" doesn't sound right, rather, "He gave it to you".

Answer 4

I think you would say "He gave to you a book". Le dio un libro or El le dio un libro

Possible but the normal word order in English is direct object before indirect object. - samdie, Mar 20, 2010