English Basic Sentence Patterns

STRUCTURE III
Program Studi
Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris
FKIP - UNDANA
STRUCTURE III
Chapter Two
ENGLISH
BASIC SENTENCE PATTERNS
Introduction
1. Some related terms
It is important to introduce 3 terms which are related to
sentence : phrase, clause and sentence.
a. Phrase is a group of words which has no subject-verb component and
which may form a constituent of the sentence in which it occurs. A
phrase generally reflects the part of speech of its core / head.
b. Clause is a group of words which has a subject-verb component but it
does not express a complete thought or proposition in itself. It does
not have a complete sentential concept, unless it is combined with
other clause(s).
c. Sentence is a group of words which has a subject-verb component and
express a complete thought or proposition. In written form, a sentence
begins with a capital letter and ends with a period, a question mark, or
an exclamation point.
Consider the following example:
The handsome Timorese gentleman who called you this
morning just arrived.
a. the handsome Timorese gentleman = PHRASE
b. who called you this morning = CLAUSE
c. The handsome Timorese gentleman that = SENTENCE
met you this morning just arrived
2. Types of sentences
Sentences may be grouped based on some distinctive
categories, among others are :
a. Based on the PURPOSE, sentence may be group into:
- declarative sentence
- Interrogative sentence
- imperative sentence
- Exclamatory sentence.
b. Based on the POLARITY, sentence may be group into:
- positive / affirmative sentence
- negative sentence
c. Based on the VOICE, sentence may be group into:
- active sentence
- passive sentence
d. Based on the STRUCTURE, sentence may be group into:
- Simple / basic sentence
- compound sentence
- complex sentence
3. English Basic Sentence Patterns

Based on the elements / constituents that build up sentences,
English simple sentence may be group into 5 basic patterns.
This grouping is based on the type of verb in the sentence.
Five English Basic Sentence Patterns
1. Subject – Intransitive Verb:
No. Subject Intransitive Verb
1. A dog barks
2. Birds fly
3. Water flows.
2. Subject – Transitive Verb - Object

No. Subject Transitive Verb Object
1. Alfred collects stamps
2. We killed a snake
3. He likes swimming
4. The professor is cutting a tree.
3. Subject – Ditransitive Verb – Indirect Object - Direct Object
No. Subject Verb Object 1 Object 2
1. He gave me the book
2. Jim bought Mary a present
3. They sent me some flowers
4. Subject – Complex Transitive Verb – Direct Object - Object Complement
No. Subject Verb Object Object Complement
1. They call him a coward.
2. They found their new home strange
3. Alice wishes her house in the city center.

5. Subject – Linking Verb – Subject Complement
No. Subject Linking Verb Subject Complement

1. My name is Bobby.
2. Those men are teacher.
1. Alfred is sick.
2. Ina looks very pale.
4. The meeting will be tomorrow
5. The professor was in Kupang
Exercises :
1. Identify the grammatical function of the underlined parts in the
following sentences.
a. The boys are studying.
b. The sun always shines brightly at midday.
c. The boys usually sleep on the floor at night.
d. The professor has given us many tests so far this semester.
e. John’s father sends him some money regularly.
f. The professor considers his lecture clear.
g. He finds Tim and Christ unfriendly.
h. These plants have become dry.
i. Floods can be dangerous and disastrous.
j. Indeed, rain is extremely essential for farmers.
2. Compose two sentences for each of the following sentence
patterns!
3. Complete the following sentences according to the given cues!
a. His brother __________________ a high school teacher. (a linking verb).
b. They called that poor boy ____________ (a noun as object complement).
c. My eldest brother ___________________ (an intransitive verb).
d. The students find ________________ challenging (a noun as object).
e. We did not give them _______________ (a noun as direct object).
f. _______________________ is an actress (a noun as subject).
g. All your books are ________(an adverb of place as subject complement).
h. My father _______________ a snake last night (a transitive verb).
i. They have appointed him ____________ (a noun as object complement).
j. They want the snake ___________ (an adjective as object complement).
4. Compose sentences based on the required functions given
below!
a. Subject – Verb – Object – Adverb (of place).
b. Subject – Verb – Subject complement (adjective).
c. Subject – Verb – Object – Object complement (noun).
d. Subject – Verb – Direct Object – Indirect Object – Adverb (of time)
e. Subject – Verb – Subject complement (noun)
f. Subject – Verb – Object – Adverb (of place).
g. Subject – Verb – Object – Object complement (adjective).
h. Subject – verb – Object - Adverb (of manner)
i. Subject – verb – Adverb (of place).
j. Subject – Verb – Indirect Object – Direct Object – Adverb (of place).

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What are the three terms related to sentences that are introduced?

How can sentences be grouped based on their purpose, polarity, voice and structure?

STRUCTURE III

3. English Basic Sentence Patterns

2. Subject – Transitive Verb - Object

4. Subject – Complex Transitive Verb – Direct Object - Object Complement

No. Subject Verb Object Object Complement

1. They call him a coward.

2. They found their new home strange

3. Alice wishes her house in the city center.

No. Subject Linking Verb Subject Complement

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