Basic Sentence Patterns
Understanding the typical arrangement of words is essential for building grammatically correct and meaningful sentences in English.
What is a Sentence Pattern?
A sentence pattern is the standard structure or order of components in a sentence. These components include the subject (S), verb (V), object (O), complement (C), and adjunct (A). Once you learn these fundamental patterns, you can form simple to complex sentences with clarity and confidence, expressing your ideas more effectively.
The 6 Most Common Sentence Patterns
Mastering these patterns will give you the confidence to form clear sentences.
| Pattern | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| S + V (Subject + Verb) | The simplest pattern, with a subject and an intransitive verb (a verb that doesn’t need an object). | "Birds fly. / He sleeps." |
| S + V + O (Subject + Verb + Object) | The most common pattern, using a transitive verb that passes its action to a direct object. | "She reads a book. / They watch movies." |
| S + V + C (Subject + Verb + Complement) | Uses a linking verb (like is, seems, becomes) to connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes it. | "He is a teacher. / The sky looks blue." |
| S + V + O + O (Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object) | Contains two objects, showing something being given or told to someone. | "She gave me a gift. / He told us a story." |
| S + V + O + C (Subject + Verb + Object + Complement) | The object is followed by a complement that describes or renames it. | "They elected him president. / We found the room empty." |
| S + V + A (Subject + Verb + Adjunct) | Includes an adjunct (or adverbial) that adds extra information about time, place, or manner. | "He works hard. / They played in the park." |
Why Sentence Patterns Matter
- Helps you form correct and complete sentences.
- Improves clarity and structure in your writing and speaking.
- Provides a foundation for building more complex sentences.
- Makes grammar learning more systematic and organized.
Quick Tips for Learners
Use these tips to practice and master sentence patterns.
- Try creating 2–3 examples of each pattern using real-life situations.
- Practice converting simple patterns like S+V into more complex ones like S+V+O+C.
- When reading, try to identify the sentence patterns being used by the author.
- Use different subjects and verbs to see how the patterns remain consistent.