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Basic word order in English – Grammar chart

Basic word order in English

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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?)