Explanation
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 beat 3 pmin the office?)
