Some common variations on the basic word order

We normally avoid separating a subject from its verb and a verb from its object [e g with an adverb > 1.3], though there are exceptions even to this basic rule [> 7.16] However, note these common variations in the basic subject/verb/(object)/(adverbial) order

- questions [> Chapter 13] Did you take your car in for a service? When did you take your car in for a service?

- reporting verbs in direct speech [> 15.3п4]

You ve eaten the lot' cried Frank

- certain conditional sentences [> 14.8, 14.18.3] Should you see him please give him my regards

- time references requiring special emphasis [> 7.22, 7.24] Last night we went to the cinema

- -ly adverbs of manner/indefinite time [> 7.16.3, 7.24] The whole building suddenly began to shake Suddenly the whole building began to shake

- adverbs of indefinite frequency [> 7.40]

We often played dangerous games when we were children

- adverb phrases [> 7.19 2, 7.59.2] Inside the parcel (there) was a letter

- adverb particles (e g back) and here there [> 7.59.1] Back came the answer - no' Here/There is your coat Here/There it is.

- negative adverbs [> 7.59.3] Never in world history has there been such a conflict

- 'fronting' Items in a sentence can be put at the front for special emphasis A fine mess you ve made of this!

The simple sentence

The simple sentence

The smallest sentence-unit is the simple sentence A simple sentence normally has one finite verb [but see 1.16] It has a subject and a predicate

Subject group verb group (predicate)

/ ve eaten

One of our aircraft is missing

The old building opposite our school is being pulled down

Five simple sentence patterns

There are five simple sentence patterns Within each of the five groups there are different sub-patterns The five patterns differ from each other according to what (if anything) follows the verb 1 subject + verb My head aches

The simple sentence

2 subject + verb + complement

Frank is clever/an architect

3 subject + verb + direct object

My sister enjoyed the play

4 subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

The firm gave Sam a watch

5 subject + verb + object + complement

They made Sam redundant'chairman

The examples listed above are reduced to a bare minimum To this minimum, we can add adjectives and adverbs

His old firm gave Sam a beautiful gold watch on his retirement