Having better sentence structure in English enables communicator to organize his ideas concisely, persuade readers effectively, and build achieve communicative goals easily. In English grammar, sentence structure is formed by basic grammatical elements such as subject and predicate in the form of “S + V + O.” But, in more specific level, various sentence structures can be formed by using subject, verb, object and complement differently. So, let’s se how?
Subject, verb, object and complement are the major fundamental elements of sentences we use to form different sentence structures. Technically speaking, sentence structure in english is formed with the help of syntactic terms or constituents. Mainly, they are subject, verb, object, complement, and adverbial.(S+V+O+C)
Role and functions of syntactic terms or elements of sentence
Before to proceed, we need to take a look at the basic constituents of the sentence such as subject, verb, object and complement.
- Subject (S)- simple and compound
- Verb (V) – main verb, helping verbs
- Object (O) – direct and indirect objects
- Complement (C) – sC, aC, oC
- Adverbial (A)
By using these constituents, following basic sentence structures could be realized..
Understanding different forms of sentence structures
Here are the major types of sentence structures commonly used in daily expressions. Whether you are writing emails, reports, or presentations, mastering sentence structures will have a significant impact on your business success.
1. Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)
The subject verb object (SVO) sentence structure is the most common and straightforward way to convey information. It consists of a subject (who or what the sentence is about), a verb (the action or state of being), and an object (the receiver of the action).
- China criticises USA.
- Cyclone damages coconut trees.
- ‘Our company launched a new product.’
- Roshan plucks an apple.
These are the examples of most basic sentence structure that is taught at the elementary level. Transition words like ‘furthermore’ and ‘moreover’ can be used to connect ideas and add coherence to your writing.
2. Subject+ Verb + Object + Complement (SVOc)
The subject + verb + object + complement (SVOc) sentence structure is similar to SVO but includes a complement that provides more information about the object. Object complement is also called verb complement.
- USA elected Trump the president.
- Trump Tariffs made people poor.
- China reduced prices lower.
The complement ‘the president, poor, lower’ describe the objects the objects respectively. Here, I have used “poor” not “the poor” because first one is adjective and second is noun. In the collective noun, the is used before noun showing group.
“Object complement” is used to describe “object” by using adjectives like: poor, lower, etc.
1. “Subject + Verb + aC” (aC is adverbial complements)
My parents are living in Los Angeles.
The sun rises in the east.
A chair can’t stand on two legs. Harry is in the garden.
2. ” Subject+ Verb + sC” (sC is subject
complements)
He is a gifted student.
The national is so congested.
It is too cold.
Mary seems happy.
3. “Subject+ Verb + Object + A” (A is adverbial)
I will finish the book later.
Next Week, I will finish the book.
4. ” Subject+ Verb + Object + oC” (oC is object complements)
People made him the king.
The board elected Bob the chairman.
We consider the decision unwise.
5. “Subject+ Verb + Infinitive”
I want to speak.
He forgot to lock the door.
She hopes to get a first class.
6. “Subject+ Verb + Object + infinitive”
He wanted me to study.
Albert told the child to close the door.
He likes his wife to dress well.
7. ” Subject + Verb + Gerund”
They must give up drinking and smoking.
He started writing.
I enjoy teaching.
8. “Subject + Verb + passive infinitive”
They aspired to be qualified.
Brazil desired to be developed.
9. ” Subject + Verb + Object + Present participle”
They caught him stealing.
She found the baby crying.
10. “Subject + Verb +Object + adjective”
She washed my shirt clean.
He painted the wall green.
The police set the accused free.
11. ” Subject + Verb + Indirect object + Direct object” (indirect object and direct object)
I gifted John a book.
Students told the teacher theirs problem.
12. “Subject + Verb + Object + Prepositional object”
I gave a football to Joly.
You show the progress report to your mother.
They told their problem to the teacher.
So far, you might have got better insight of formation of sentence structures by our step by step guide of learning sentence formation methods.