Consecutive nouns as multiple objects

• consecutive nouns can act as multiple objects of a verb
  • i.e., two nouns next to one another
  • as in "I gave the boy a donut"
• when the action has a direct and indirect object, the indirect object is often preceded by "to" in order to indicate the direct object
  • however, we frequently drop the "to", which remains implied in the sentence
    • so instead of "I gave a donut to the boy" we simply say, "I gave the boy a donut"
  • another ex. "She gave the man grief"
    • can also be expressed as "She gave grief to the man"
    • the noun "grief" is what was given (direct object) and the noun "man" is to whom the grief was given (indirect object)

Click expand for an example of multiple nouns as objects from CB Writing practice test 10, question 36:

Tuition-reimbursement programs signal that employers offer their [36] [workers’ opportunities] for personal and professional development.

A) worker's opportunities [NO CHANGE]
B) workers opportunities’
C) workers opportunities
D) worker’s opportunity’s

• elimination
  • x A) the possessive "worker's" confuses the direct object "opportunities" with the indirect object "workers"; in other words, "employers" don't offer "workers" they offer "opportunities"
  • x B) and x D) the noun "opportunities" cannot possess the preposition "for"
• Correct answer C) = SUBJECT: employers VERB: offer INDIRECT OBJECT: workers DIRECT OBJECT: opportunities