Confusing syntax in sentences with indirect object complements
Some verbs produce unambiguous syntax when used with an indirect object.
I brought a toy to Katy. --> I brought Katy a toy.
I bought flowers for my wife. --> I bought my wife flowers.
Neither of these sentence complements can be interpreted as a single noun phrase or object complement.
But if we use a pronoun instead of a proper noun we sometimes produce ambiguous syntax.
I brought a toy to her. --> I brought her a toy.
I bought flowers for her. --> I bought her flowers.
The first sentence is not ambiguous because her a toy is not a sensible phrase, but her flowers is easily interpreted as a noun phrase (poss dt + n) that functions as the single direct object of the verb. Two possible interpretations with very different meanings.
Furthermore, BBC Learn English lists keep as a verb that can be used with OCi/OCd syntax but I can't seem to find a sentence that isn't ambiguous.
- I kept the money for you. --> I kept you the money.
- I keep the keys for the manager. --> *I keep the manager the keys.
- I keep secrets for her. --> I keep her secrets.
- I keep secrets for Jill --> *I keep Jill secrets.
Sentences 2 & 4 produce nonsense, and sentence 3 produces ambiguous syntax, where the OCi and OCd merge into a single noun phrase. Sentence 1 seems to work but it feels very awkward to me. But all of these sentences follow the rule of having a beneficiary or recipient of the action using to or for adverbial complement in the standard form.
So what's going on here? Does keep belong on this list or not?
Solution 1:
It belongs in the list in the sense that it's a "double object verb", but not in the sense that it doesn't fit the article's "V + N (indirect object) + N (direct object)" convention.
I think "V + N (indirect object) + N (direct object)" is a simplification of a third, unmentioned rule: "V + , + Prepositional phrase (indirect object) + , + N (direct object)". However, this simplification doesn't work for the verb "to keep" in formal English hence the confusion.
To demonstrate, reconsider your examples with these rules using the format (1) → (2) → (3):
- V + N (direct object) + Prepositional phrase (indirect object)
- V + , + Prepositional phrase (indirect object) + , + N (direct object)
- V + N (indirect object) + N (direct object)
I brought a toy to Katy. → I brought, to Katy, a toy. → I bought Katy a toy.
I bought flowers for my wife. → I bought, for my wife, flowers. → I bought my wife flowers.
I brought a toy to her. → I brought, to her, a toy. → I brought her a toy.
I bought flowers for her. → I bought, for her, flowers. → I bought her flowers.
I kept the money for you. → I kept, for you, the money. → I kept you the money. (colloquial)
I keep the keys for the manager. → I keep, for the manager, the keys.
I keep secrets for her. → I keep, for her, secrets.
I keep secrets for Jill → I keep, for Jill, secrets.
Secondly, your example "I keep her secrets." doesn't fit format (3); in this case, the direct object has changed from "secrets" to "her secrets", and there is no indirect object. As a consequence, there's no ambiguity.
Another example might be helpful:
I keep a secret for her. ≠ I keep her a secret.
In this case, misapplying rule (3) dramatically changes the direct object from "a secret" to "her" and, therefore, completely changes the meaning of the sentence.