Basic Sentence Patterns

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• CH 1C

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• Understanding basic sentence patterns and
  variations will help you recognize subjects and
  complements. The six basic sentence patterns
  presented in the following box are based on three
  verb types.
• You have already been introduced to linking verbs
  (such as be, seem, sound, and taste). These verbs
  are followed by a subject complement or an
  adverbial phrase. Verbs that are not linking are
  either transitive or intransitive.
• Notice that trans in the words transitive and
  intransitive means over or across.
• Thus, the action of a transitive verb carries
  across to an object, but the action of an
  intransitive verb does not.
• Intransitive verbs have no complements, although
  they are often followed by adverbs or adverbial
  phrases.

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• Pattern 1 Subject Intransitive Verb
• S V S V
  ADV
• Prices dropped. Prices dropped precipitously.
• Pattern 2 Subject Transitive Verb Direct
  Object
• S V DO
• He writes detective stories.

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• Pattern 3 Subject Transitive Verb Indirect
  Object Direct Object
• S V IO DO
• My father sent me a care package.
• Pattern 4 Subject Transitive Verb Direct
  Object Object Complement
• S V DO
• The new leaders declared the country
• OC
• a separate nation.

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• Pattern 5 Subject Linking Verb Subject
  Complement
• S V SC
• Dr. Vargas is the discussion leader.
• Pattern 6 Subject Linking Verb Adverbial
  Phrase
• S V Adv. Ph.
• They are in the library.

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• When declarative sentences, or statements, are
  turned into questions, the subject and the
  auxiliary verb are sometimes inverted that is,
  the auxiliary verb is moved to the front of the
  sentence before the subject.
• Statement A Chinese skater has won a gold medal.
• Aux S
• Question Has a Chinese skater won a gold medal?

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• Often, a question word such as what or why opens
  an interrogative sentence. As long as the
  question word is the object of the sentence, the
  auxiliary verb comes before the subject.
• Aux S
• Question What has a Chinese skater won?

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• If a statement does not include an auxiliary verb
  or a form of the linking verb be, then a form of
  do is added to create the corresponding question.
  Once again, the auxiliary verb (in this case, do)
  is placed in front of the subject.
• Statement A Chinese skater won a gold medal.
• Aux S
• Question Did a Chinese skater win a gold medal?

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Basic Sentence Patterns

• Other sentences have phrases that are not
  essential but do add pertinent information. These
  phrases can sometimes be moved. For example, the
  phrase on Friday can be placed either at the
  beginning or at the end of a sentence.
• I finished my assignment on Friday.
• On Friday, I finished my assignment.

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Thinking Rhetorically AboutSentence Patterns
with Direct Objects

• If you want to intensify a a feeling or emphasize
  a contrast, alter the sentence pattern by placing
  the direct object at the beginning of the
  sentence. A comma is sometimes used after a
  direct object in such sentences.
• They loved the queen. They despised the king.
• They loved the queen. The king, they despised.
• I acquired English at home. I learned French on
  the street.
• I acquired English at home. French I learned on
  the street.