BASIC SENTENCE PATTERNS | NEP

Understanding basic sentence patterns is crucial for mastering English grammar.

Sentence patterns refer to the standard structures that sentences typically follow. These patterns are based on the arrangement of the subject, verb, object, and other elements in a sentence.

The most common sentence patterns are:

1. Subject + Verb (S + V)

This is the simplest sentence pattern. It consists of a subject and an intransitive verb, with no object or complement.

Example:

• Birds (S) fly (V).
• She (S) laughed (V).

In this pattern, the verb does not require an object to complete its meaning.

2. Subject + Verb + Object (S + V + O)

In this pattern, the verb is transitive, meaning it requires an object to complete its meaning. The object receives the action of the verb.

Example:

• The teacher (S) explained (V) the lesson (O).
• They (S) built (V) a house (O).

Here, "the lesson" and "a house" are the objects of the verbs "explained" and "built," respectively.

3. Subject + Verb + Complement (S + V + C)

This pattern includes a subject, a linking verb, and a subject complement. The complement provides additional information about the subject, often describing or renaming it.

Example:

• The sky (S) is (V) blue (C).
• She (S) became (V) a doctor (C).

In these examples, "blue" and "a doctor" are complements that describe or identify the subjects "The sky" and "She."

4. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (S + V + IO + DO)

This pattern involves a verb that takes both a direct object and an indirect object. The indirect object usually refers to someone who benefits from the action.

Example:

• He (S) gave (V) her (IO) a gift (DO).
• The teacher (S) told (V) the students (IO) a story (DO).

In these sentences, "her" and "the students" are indirect objects, while "a gift" and "a story" are direct objects.

5. Subject + Verb + Object + Complement (S + V + O + C)

In this pattern, the sentence includes a direct object and an object complement. The object complement provides more information about the object.

Example:

• They (S) considered (V) him (O) a genius (C).
• We (S) found (V) the room (O) empty (C).

Here, "a genius" and "empty" are complements that describe the objects "him" and "the room," respectively.

6. Subject + Verb + Adverbial (S + V + A)

This pattern includes a subject, a verb, and an adverbial element (which can be an adverb or an adverbial phrase) that provides additional information about the action.

Example:

• The children (S) played (V) outside (A).
• She (S) slept (V) peacefully (A).

In these examples, "outside" and "peacefully" are adverbials that describe where and how the actions occurred.

Summary

• S + V: Birds fly.
• S + V + O: They built a house.
• S + V + C: She became a doctor.
• S + V + IO + DO: He gave her a gift.
• S + V + O + C: We found the room empty.
• S + V + A: The children played outside.