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 5 Basic Patterns 

Subject + Verb 

(http://www.manythings.org/rs/sv.html)

I swim. Joe swims. They swam.

 

Subject + Verb + Object  

(http://www.manythings.org/rs/svo.html) 

I drive a car. Joe plays the guitar. They ate dinner.

 

Subject + Verb + Complement 

(http://www.manythings.org/rs/svc.html) 

I am busy. Joe became a doctor. They look sick.

 

Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object 

(http://www.manythings.org/rs/sviodo.html) 

I gave her a gift. She teaches us English.

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.

Subject + Verb + Object + Complement 

(http://www.manythings.org/rs/svoc.html)

I left the door open. We elected him president. They named her Jane.