Basic word order in English

Basic word order in English – Grammar chart

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Subject + verb

In English, we normally need to include the subject in a sentence. The subject goes before the verb.

• We dance.
• She is waiting.

We use it or they as subject, to talk about something that we mentioned before.

• I like your guitar. It is nice. (NOT I like your guitar. Is nice.)
• Can you see those trees? They are beautiful. (NOT Can you see those trees? Are beautiful.)

We don’t include the subject in imperative sentences.

• Sit down, please.
• Call me soon.

We can put an adverb of frequency between the subject and the verb. BUT adverbs of frequency go after the verb when the verb is be.

• We often dance.
• BUT: You are always late.

Verb + object

When there is an object in the sentence, we need to put it after the verb. Verb and object are together.

• I like pizza very much. (NOT I like very much pizza.)
• She plays the guitar every day. (NOT She plays every day the guitar.

Place + time

We normally say ‘where’ and ‘when’ something happens in this order.

• She arrives at the hospital in the morning. (NOT She arrives in the morning at the hospital.)
• Will you be in the office at 3 pm? (NOT Will you be at 3 pm in the office?)