Slide 1: The sentence
1.1 Sentence word order.
+ Learning the standard word order in English helps in forming clear and correct sentences.
+ English typically follows a simple word order pattern: Subject-Verb-Object.
Slide 2:
1.1A The Basic Structure: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
>Subject (S): The doer of the action.
> Verb (V): The action or state.
> Object (O): The receiver of the action.
Example: The cat (S) chased (V) the mouse (O).
Slide 3: Examples of Basic SVO Sentences
Simple Sentence: John (S) reads (V) books (O).
Questions: English follows a similar SVO order but often starts with an auxiliary verb or question word.
Does (auxiliary verb) she (S) like (V) coffee (O)?
Slide 4: Variations in Word Order
Although SVO is standard, word order may vary in questions and some other sentence structures.
- Example:
+ In questions: "What (O) did (Auxiliary) you (S) buy (V)?"
+ In passive voice: "The cake (O) was eaten (V) by John (S)."
Slide 5: Adverbial Placement (How? Where? When?)
Adverbials (How? Where? When?) usually come after the verb or after the object.
- Examples:
+ She answered confidently. (How?)
+ They stayed at the hotel. (Where?)
+ He worked until midnight. (When?)
Slide 6: Basic Word Order with Adverbials
The basic word order of a sentence that is not a question or command is: Subject - Verb – Object-
Adverbials
- Example:
+ We (S) played (V) a game (O) in the garden (Where?) yesterday (When?)
Slide 7: How to use time expressions at the beginning of a sentence to clarify context.
When we add a time reference, it often appears at the beginning of a sentence to set the context right
away.
- Example:
+ Next week, either option works for me.
Slide 8: 1.1B The forms of a sentence
A sentence can take any one of four forms: declairative sentence / interrogative sentence / imperative
sentence / exclamatory sentence
< Declarative sentences: Sentences that make a statement or present information.
Example: He didn't like the movie as much as his partner did.
< Interrogative sentences: Sentences used to ask questions. They typically end with a question mark.
Example: We're going in the right direction, aren't we?
< Imperative sentences: Sentences used to give commands, requests, or instructions. They may end with a
period or an exclamation mark.
Example: Don’t hang up!
< Exclamatory sentences: Sentences that express strong emotions, such as surprise, joy, or excitement.
They end with an exclamation mark.
Example: Thank! You saved our wedding!
Slide 9: The simple sentence: verbs with and without objects
1.2A What is a complete sentence?
Defination: In short, a complete sentence needs a subject, a verb, and must express a complete thought.
Without any of these components, the sentence is considered incomplete or a fragment.
Basic Structure of a Complete Sentence: Subject + Predicate (Verb + Object, if needed) + Complete
Thought
Example of complete sentence: she sings beautifully
Subject: she / Predicate: sings beautifully / Complete thought: Yes, it makes sense on its own.
Slide 10: The subject and verb
@ The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action.
@ The verb express the action or state of being.
Example: the cat is sleeping.
@ The subject may be hidden: Be quiet really means You be quiet
Slide 11: Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
- Transitive verbs: Require a direct object to complete their meaning.
Example: Did you enjoy the film?
Common transitive verbs: ask, attend, believe, buy, consider, enjoy,…
- Intransitive Verbs: Do not require a direct object.
Example: Did it rain last night?
Common intransitive verbs: appear, arrive, come, cough, fall, happen,…
- Verbs that can be both Transitive and Intransitive.
Compare:
Transitive: She entered the room looking nervous. / Intransitive: Do not enter.
Slide 12: 1.2C Sentences with linking verbs like ‘be’ and ‘seem’
- Verb form "to be"
Forms of the verb to be include: am, is, are, was, were, being, been.
Example: She is a student
- Verbs of perception and senses.
Some common sense verbs: appear, look, sound, feel, taste, smell.
Example: This soup tastes delicious.
- Common linking verbs.
Common linking verbs: become, seem, remain, stay, turn.
Example: He became a doctor.
Slide 13:
- Linking subjects with adjectives.
Example: She is happy.
- Linking the subject to a noun or noun phrase:
Example: she is a doctor.
- Linking subjects with adverbs:
Example: The book is on the table.
- Both adjective + noun as complements:
Example: She is a talented singer.
- Pronoun as a subject complement:
Example: The house is ours.
- A prepositonal phrase:
Example: she is in the room.
Slide 14: 1.3 The simple sentence: direct and indirect objects
The direct object is the person, thing, or idea that receives an action.
Example: Dolly made a cake.
The indirect object is the person, thing, or idea for which an action is being done.
Example: Mary gave her sheep a bath.
- Verb commonly followed by ‘for’: buy, choose, work, care,…
Example: she works for a software company.
- Some verbs combine with ‘to’: confess, admit, bring, give,…
Example: he confessed his crime to the police.
Slide 15: Verb + object + ‘to’ + noun or pronoun
This pattern is commonly used to express actions involving giving, explaining, or introducing something
to someone.
Structure: Verb + Object + 'to' + Noun/Pronoun
Examples:
"Give the book to me."
"Explain the situation to me."
The preposition 'to' is essential when the verb requires an indirect object. It indicates the
recipient of the action.
You cannot say:
✗ "Explain me the situation."
✓ "Explain the situation to me."
The verb "explain" requires 'to' before the indirect object.
Some verbs like give and send can take both structures:
✓ "Give me the book."
✓ "Give the book to me."
But others like explain or describe require the 'to' structure only.
Other verbs that follow the same pattern include: admit, announce, declare, demonstrate, describe, entrust,
introduce, mention, propose, prove, repeat, report, say, suggest.
Slide 16: 1.3C The two meanings of ‘for’
+ meaning 1: on behalf of someone.
Verb commonly used: Give, post, read, sell, show, tell, etc.
Example: I'll post the letter for you. ( I’ll post the letter instead you )
+ meaning 2: for someone’s benefit.
Verbs commonly used: Buy, choose, do, find, keep, order, etc.
Example: mother cooked a lovely meal for me. ( The meal is for me to joy )
