Basic word order: SVO

English relies on word order to show who does what. The core pattern is (SVO):

Unlike many languages, English rarely allows the subject to be dropped or the object to move forward in neutral statements. \(\to\) \(\to\)

The five basic clause patterns

@L4.4cmL7.8cm@ Pattern & Example
S + V &
S + V + O &
S + V + C (complement) &
S + V + O + O (two objects) &
S + V + O + C &

With two objects, the person usually comes first (), or after the thing with ().

Yes/no questions

Form yes/no questions by putting an auxiliary before the subject:

  • With :

  • With an auxiliary or modal already present:

  • Otherwise, add :

Short answers repeat the auxiliary:

Wh- questions

(+ ).

Wh-word + auxiliary + subject + verb?

Subject questions — no

When the wh-word itself is the subject, use normal statement order with no : (subject question: somebody called you) vs.  (object question: you called somebody). Similarly:

(as a neutral question) \(\to\)
\(\to\)
\(\to\)

Prepositions in questions

In natural English, the preposition stays at the end: Fronting the preposition () is very formal.

Negatives

  • Add after , auxiliaries, and modals:

  • Elsewhere use :

  • Negative imperatives:

Standard English allows only one negative element per clause. With negative words like , keep the verb positive: \(\to\) \(\to\)

Question tags

A question tag turns a statement into a question, inviting agreement or confirmation. Positive statement \(\to\) negative tag; negative statement \(\to\) positive tag. The tag repeats the auxiliary (or uses ):

Special tags:

So / Neither for agreement

  • Agreeing with positive:

  • Agreeing with negative:

Note the inverted word order: , not

Exclamations

  • :

  • :

Coordination:

Simple sentences join into compound ones with coordinating conjunctions:

introduces a reason clause and, in careful writing, should be attached to a main clause rather than standing alone. In speech and informal writing, stand-alone answers are normal:

Exercises

Make questions Write the question that asks about the underlined part.

  1. Marta broke the window. (\(\to\) Who…?)

  2. She broke the window. (\(\to\) What…?)

  3. They go to the gym three times a week.

  4. He was late because he missed the bus.

  5. The journey takes about two hours.

Question tags Add the correct question tag.

  1. You’re coming to the party,

    ?

  2. She doesn’t eat meat,

    ?

  3. They’ve already left,

    ?

  4. I’m next,

    ?

  5. Let’s take a break,

    ?

Error correction Correct one error in each item.

  1. Where you bought that jacket?

  2. I didn’t see nobody in the office.

  3. “I can’t swim.” “So can’t I.”

  4. What does happen if I press this button?

  5. Explain me why you are late.