Level Three
Lesson 36
Word Order in English
Where do words go in a sentence? Understanding word order in English is essential when forming sentences.
In this lesson, you will learn about subject, verb, object: S + V + O.
If you already know about this topic, you can skip ahead to the next lesson.
S + V + O
You can put words into just about any kind of order in English. It’s a very flexible language; however, you should understand the reasons for a particular order. Let’s start with the basics: subject + verb.
36a. subject + verb 
Sentences (declarative sentences) put the subject before the verb to make a statement.
subject = S
verb = V
- He works. S + V
- She drives to work. S + V + PP
- It doesn’t work. S + HV + V (Make the verb negative with the helping verb “does” and “not”)
- It is hot. S + V + SC
- This ice cream tastes good. S + V + SC
prepositional phrase = PP
subject complement = SC
36a. Example
- This ice cream is good.
- subject = ice cream
- verb = is (be)
The word “good” is an adjective.
- He works hard.
- subject = He
- verb = works (work)
The word “hard” is an adverb.
36b. subject + helping verb + verb
A helping verb makes negatives, questions, and possibilities.
subject = S
helping verb = HV
verb = V
- My car didn’t start. S + HV + V
- The boat is sinking. S + HV + V
- Someone was crying in the hallway. S + HV + V + PP
- You can go now. S + HV + V
- I’ll go. S + HV + V
36b. Examples
- The eggs didn’t break.
- subject = eggs
- helping verb = didn’t (did not)
- verb = break
- She is dreaming.
- subject = She
- helping verb = is
- verb = dreaming (dream + ing)
36c. What is a helping verb?
A helping verb is a verb that helps to form negatives, questions, and modal possibilities.
Here are the major helping verbs: am, is, are, was, were, do, does, did, has, have, had, will, can, must, should, would, may, might, shall.
Some verb phrases are used as helping verbs: (be) going to, (be) able to, have to, ought to, had better, would rather.
36d. helping verb + subject + verb
To form a question, the helping verb goes before the subject. The main verb is in the simple form.
- Do you live here?
- Are you living in the United States?
- Can she drive?
- Will it work?
- May I leave now?
- Do you mind?
- Are the flowers growing well in that location?
- When does the store open? (Questions for information put the question word before the helping verb.)
- Why is he holding his stomach?
36d. Examples
- Does he feel okay?
- helping verb = Does
- subject = he
- verb = feel
- adjective = okay
- Is the company doing okay?
- helping verb = Is
- subject = the company
- verb = doing (do + ing)
36e. subject + verb + object
Some verbs in English are transitive. They require an object.
- She threw the ball. S + V + O
- I made the pizza. S + V + O
- The children like the playground. S + V + O
- Bring your coat. (The subject is “you.”)
- The school requires good attendance. S + V + O
- The students liked the lesson. S + V + O
- We don’t want it. S + V + O
- He answered the question. S + V + O
36e. Examples
- Someone called the police.
- subject = Someone
- verb = called
- object = the police
- He picked up a shell.
- subject = He
- verb = picked up
- object = a shell
36f. subject + verb + prepositional phrase
Some verbs in English are intransitive. They don’t take an object, but they might be followed by a prepositional phrase.
- They walked down the street. S + V + pp
- He talked with his mother. S + V + pp
- I shop at the store on the corner. S + V + pp
- She didn’t come to school. S + V + pp
- She didn’t come. S + V
- The plane fell from the sky. S + V + pp
- The plane fell. S + V
- We all laughed at the joke. (S + V + pp)
- We all laughed. S + V
36f. Examples
- He walked across the street.
- subject = He
- verb = walked (walk)
- prepositional phrase = across the street
- The cat looked out the window.
- subject = The cat
- verb = looked (look)
- prepositional phrase = out the window
