"Sentence patterns" is just another way talk about the way a sentence is put together; the order of the elements in the sentence; sentence construction. Some sources say there are six English sentence patterns; some say eight. A few sources list even more. Here are the ones we feel are the most common, and the easiest to recognize:
1. Subject + Verb (S-V)
This is the simplest kind of sentence. It consists of a subject, a verb, and possibly some adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases. There are no direct objects, indirect objects, or complements.
Abraham speaks fluently. (subject, verb, adverb)
Many of the class members write well in class. (subject, verb, adverbs) (The "complete" subject is "Many of the class members"--a noun phrase.)
2. Verb + Subject (V-S)
Sentences in English usually have the subject come first, followed by the verb. But when a sentence begins with there is, there was, there are, there were, the verb comes first, followed by the subject. The word There is never a subject!
There is a strange shadow in the woods. (verb, subject--the complete subject is the noun phrase a strange shadow, adverb)
There were no leftovers after the buffet. (verb, subject, adverb)
3. Subject + Verb + Direct Object (S-V-DO)
Andrew composes music. (subject, verb, direct object.)
Matthew helps others in several English practice rooms. (subject, verb, direct object, adverb)
Helen tells jokes to make people smile. (subject, verb, direct object, adverb)
4. Subject + Verb + Complement (S-V-SC)
A complement is a word or group of words that describe or rename the subject. Complements follow a linking verb. There are two kinds of subject complements: 1) predicate nominative, which is a noun or pronoun that renames or classifies the subject of the sentence and 2) predicate adjective, which is an adjective that describes the subject of the sentence.
Mother looks tired. (subject, verb, complement--predicate adjective)
Some students in the class are engineers. (the noun phrase Some students in the class is the complete subject, verb, complement--predicate nominative)
The men are handsome, the women are clever, and the children are above-average. (compound sentence of three independent clauses, so three subjects, three verbs, three complements--all predicate adjectives)
5. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (S-V-IO-DO)
An indirect object tells for whom or to whom. If the indirect object comes after the direct object (in a prepositional phrase "to ________" or "for _______"), the sentence pattern is shown as S-V-DO-IO. Pronouns are usually used as indirect objects (but not always).
I sent her a birthday present. (subject, verb, indirect object, direct object)
Jay gave his dog a bone. (subject, verb, indirect object, direct object)
Granny left Gary all of her money. (subject, verb, indirect object, direct object)
Granny gave every last asset to Gary. (subject, verb, direct object, indirect object in a prepositional phrase)
6. Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Object Complement (S-V-DO-OC)
This pattern isn't as common as the others, but it is used. An object complement is a word or group of words that renames, describes, or classifies the direct object. Object complements are nouns or adjectives and follow the object.
Debbie left the window open during the rain storm. (subject, verb, direct object, object complement, adverb)
The class picked Susie class representative. (subject, verb, direct object, object complement)
Sentence Pattern Quiz
Some patterns in using clauses:
1. Independent clause: We are happy about the approaching holiday season.
2. Two independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction: We are happy about the approaching holiday season, and we look forward to a prosperous new year.
3. Two independent clauses, with no conjunction: We are happy about the approaching holiday season; we look forward to a prosperous new year.
4. Two independent clauses with an independent marker (therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also are some): We are happy about the approaching holiday season; furthermore, we look forward to a prosperous new year.
5. Dependent marker (because, since, while, although, if, until, when, as, after, then are some), dependent clause, independent clause: Because we are happy about the approaching holiday season, we are planning many parties and gatherings with friends.
6. Independent clause, dependent marker, dependent clause: We are planning many parties and gatherings with friends, because we are happy about the approaching holiday season.
7. First part of an independent clause, unneeded clause or phrase, the rest of the independent clause: We are planning many parties and gatherings, including formal and informal, with friends.
8. First part of an independent clause, essential clause or phrase, the rest of the independent clause: We who are happy about the approaching holiday season are planning many parties and gatherings, formal and informal, with friends.
Back to Sentences Back to Exercises