Basic Sentence Patterns
Basic Sentence Patterns
Basic Sentence Patterns
In this lesson, you will learn the elements of a sentence. There are 5 basic
sentence patterns in English. Before we start this lesson (or after class in the lab)
go to these 5 websites. Click the buttons on the screen at each site to see
sentences with these patterns.
The last pattern is for level 5 and grammar, and you will not see it in your level 4
classes, but you can look at it now if you want.
At the heart of every English sentence is the Subject-Verb relationship. Other elements can be
added to make a sentence more interesting, but they are not essential to its formation.
She sleeps on the sofa. A prepositional phrase is added to tell where she sleeps.
She sleeps every afternoon. A time expression is added to tell when she sleeps.
She is sleeping right now. Verb tense is changed, but S-V relationship remains the
same.
Mary will sleep later. Subject is named and another tense is used.
The dogs are sleeping in the New subject may require a different form of the verb.
garage.
Note: Any action verb can be used with this sentence pattern.
The people like hot, white rice. Object modified with more than one adjective
Note: Only transitive action verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.
George became sick last night. Different tense and linking verb
Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.
Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.
The following sentences are examples of the S-V-N pattern.
The man is a doctor. Basic sentence
Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.
Subject + Verb
I swim. Joe swims. They swam.
Subject + Verb + Object
I drive a car. Joe plays the guitar. They ate dinner.
Subject + Verb + Complement
I am busy. Joe became a doctor. They look sick.
Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object
I gave her a gift. She teaches us English.
Subject + Verb + Object + Complement
I left the door open. We elected him president. They named her Ja
jazz chants
Chant: Caribou, caribou
Caribou
By Crysta Mae Dixie Bacusmo <Worlds famous Jazz chant Artist>
Chant: Caribou, caribou
Oh, you caribou,
so many in a herd,
dropping calves in rolling hills,
need to be alert.