Sentence patterns
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The document outlines 10 sentence patterns in English based on the presence and functions of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The patterns are classified according to the type of verb used: verb of being, linking verb, or action verb. Each pattern is then defined by its components, such as noun phrases and their designations, verbs, and other elements. Abbreviations are provided to identify the various parts of each sentence pattern.
Sentence patterns
- 1. Sentence patterns Just about all sentences in the English language fall into ten patterns determined by the presence and functions of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The patterns are most easily classified according to the type of verb used: Verb of being patterns (1, 2, 3) use a form of the verb to be as the main verb in the sentence. is are was were has been have been had been Linking verb patterns (4, 5) use one of the linking verbs as the main verb in the sentence. The linking verb is followed by a noun or adjective functioning as a subjective complement. smell taste look feel seem become appear grow Action verb patterns (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) use one of the many action verbs as the main verb in the sentence. The action verb may be either transitive (take a direct object) or intransitive (not take a direct object). see jump embrace write imagine buy plummet think etc. Terms used to identify various parts of each sentence pattern include the following: NP = noun phrase This abbreviation refers to a headword noun and its modifiers ("noun phrase") functioning as a subject, direct object, indirect object, subjective complement, or objective complement. NP1, NP2, NP3, etc. = designations for different noun phrase functions Numbers in sequential order are used with each NP to designate its difference from or similarity to other NPs before and after it. V-be = verb of being LV = linking verb V-int = intransitive verb V-tr = transitive verb ADV/TP = adverbial of time or place ADJ = adjective
- 2. THE TEN SENTENCE PATTERNS 1. NP1 + V-be + ADV/TP The verb of being is followed by an adverb indicating where or when. The adverbial indicating where or when may be a prepositional phrase. 2. NP1 + V-be + ADJ The verb of being is followed by an adjective that functions as the subjective complement. The adjectival functioning as the subjective complement may be a prepositional phrase. 3. NP1 + V-be + NP1 The verb of being is followed by a noun that functions as the subjective complement. Note: The second NP receives the same numerical designation as the first NP because the second NP, the subjective complement, is the same as the subject (Mr. James = teacher).
- 3. 4. NP1 + LV + ADJ The linking verb is followed by an adjective functioning as a subjective complement. The adjectival functioning as the subjective complement may be a prepositional phrase. 5. NP1 + LV + NP1 The linking verb is followed by a noun functioning as a subjective complement. Note: The second NP receives the same numerical designation as the first NP because the second NP, the subjective complement, is the same as the subject (Joan = Buddhist). 6. NP1 + V-int The action verb takes no direct object. Even if the action verb is followed by a prepositional phrase, the verb is still intransitive as long as it does not take a direct object.
- 4. 7. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 The action verb is followed by a direct object. Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation (NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1). 8. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 + NP3 The action verb is followed by an indirect object and then a direct object. Note: The indirect object and the direct object each receive a new numerical designation because each is different from the other and both are different from the subject. 9. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 + ADJ The action verb is followed by a direct object. The direct object is followed by an adjective functioning as an objective complement. Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation (NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1). 10. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 + NP2 The action verb is followed by a direct object. The direct object is followed by a noun functioning as an objective complement. Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation (NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1). The third NP, the objective complement, receives the same numerical designation as the direct object (NP2) because it is the same as the direct object (Jacobsen = friend).