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With most of those verbs, however, the direct object may also precede the adverb.
He laid down his stick. = He laid his stick down.
If expressed by a personal pronoun, the direct object always precedes the postposition.
He laid down his stick. = He laid it down.
§ 72. The direct object comes before the predicate verb it refers to in the following cases:
1. In pronominal questions referring to the direct object or to its attribute.
What did they give you?
Whose car was he driving?
Which piece shall I take?
2. In certain exclamatory sentences.
What a wonderful boat he has built!
3. In case it is necessary to connect the idea expressed in this sentence with the preceding one. This makes
the object more emphatic.
The people of the village gathered in silence to watch his quick hands.
This job too he did well and patiently.
4. For the sake of emphasis or contrast.
I enjoyed arithmetic, as always. Grammar I could not understand in the least.
The indirect object
The indirect recipient object
§ 73. As has been mentioned above, the indirect recipient object is used mainly with transitive verbs, which
thus take two objects, and are accordingly called ditransitive. Verbs governing the indirect recipient object fall
into two classes, which in accordance with their general semantics are called verbs of benefaction and verbs of
inducement.
Verbs of benefaction denote an action that is addressed to a person or is done for that person's
sake or benefit.
First she gave him his supper.
I’ve bought a pair of beautiful earrings for you, dear.
Verbs of inducment denote an action which causes a person to do some other action.
Ann told him to leave her alone.
I beg you to forgive me.
§ 74. The indirect recipient object is generally used together with the direct object and precedes it (see the
examples above).
If the indirect object is attached to a verb of benefaction, the direct object is usually a noun, a pronoun, or a
clause.