Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains one independent clause with a subject and a predicate.

Basic Sentence Patterns

Pattern 1: Subject + Verb (SV)

The simplest pattern:

• Birds fly.
• She smiled.
• The baby is sleeping.

Pattern 2: Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)

The most common pattern:

• I read books.
• She loves music.
• They are building a house.

Pattern 3: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (SVOO)

Two objects:

• She gave me a gift.
• I told him the truth.
• He bought his wife flowers.

Pattern 4: Subject + Verb + Complement (SVC)

With linking verbs:

• She is a doctor.
• The soup tastes delicious.
• He became famous.

Pattern 5: Subject + Verb + Object + Complement (SVOC)

Object + description:

• They elected him president.
• She painted the wall blue.
• I consider him a friend.

Direct vs. Indirect Objects

Direct Object

Receives the action directly:

• I read the book. (What did I read?)
• She loves him. (Whom does she love?)

Indirect Object

Receives the direct object:

• I gave her a book. (To whom did I give?)
• He told us a story. (To whom did he tell?)

Alternative with preposition:

• I gave a book to her.
• He told a story to us.

Word Order Rules

Standard Order: Subject → Verb → Object

• She eats breakfast. ✓
• Breakfast eats she. ✗

Adverbs of Frequency: Before Main Verb

• She always eats breakfast.
• I never drink coffee.

Time and Place: Usually at End

• I met her at the park yesterday.
• She works in London.

Order: Place before Time

• I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.

Quiz