Sentence Pattern - Definition, Types and Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is a Sentence Pattern?
• Parts and Components of a Sentence
• Types of Sentence Patterns in English
• Sentence Pattern Examples

Sentences are used to express ideas, thoughts, and feelings. The way we arrange words in a sentence is called the sentence pattern, and it plays a key role in making sure our sentences are clear and effective. 

By recognizing sentence patterns, we can create more varied and interesting sentences. This understanding helps us communicate more clearly and creatively, both in speaking and writing.

What Is a Sentence Pattern?

A sentence pattern describes the typical arrangement of words in a sentence. It shows the relationship between the different parts of speech, like subjects, verbs, and objects. 

For example, in the below sentence, the pattern is subject + verb + object. 

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Sentence Pattern Quiz: Mastering English Structure

Parts and Components of a Sentence

A sentence is made up of several key parts that work together to convey meaning. The main components of a sentence are the subject, predicate, and object. Each of these has a specific role:

• Subject: The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It tells us who or what is performing the action. 

For example, in the sentence "The dog runs," "the dog" is the subject.

• Predicate: The predicate expresses the action or state of being. It tells us what the subject is doing or what is happening to it. 

In the sentence "The dog runs," "runs" is the predicate.

• Object: The object of a sentence receives the action of the verb. Not all sentences have an object, but when present, it provides more detail about the action. 

For example, in "She read the book," "the book" is the object.

In addition to these main parts, a sentence can include other components:

Complement: A complement describes or identifies the subject. In "The sky is blue," "blue" is the complement, describing the subject "sky."

Modifiers: Modifiers add detail and description to a sentence. They can be words, phrases, or clauses.

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Simple Compound And Complex Sentences Quiz

Types of Sentence Patterns in English

In English, there are several common sentence patterns that follow a specific structure and include variations that allow for different types of expression. Below are the main types of sentence patterns:

1. Subject + Verb (SV): This pattern contains a subject and a verb. It is the simplest sentence structure. 

Example: "She laughs."

2. Subject + Verb + Object (SVO): In this pattern, the sentence includes a subject, verb, and object. This is a common structure in English. 

Example: "The teacher explains the lesson."

3. Subject + Verb + Complement (SVC): The complement gives additional information about the subject or object. This pattern is often used with linking verbs like "is" or "seem." 

Example: "The sky is blue."

4. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (SVIDO): This pattern involves a subject, verb, indirect object (who or what is receiving the action), and direct object (the thing being acted upon). 

Example: "She gave him a gift."

5. Subject + Verb + Object + Complement (SVOC): This pattern includes a subject, verb, object, and a complement that provides more information about the object. 

Example: "They elected him president."

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basic sentence patterns Quiz questions

Sentence Pattern Examples

1. The bird sings. (Subject + Verb)
2. Tommy kicks the ball. (Subject + Verb + Object)
3. The cake smells delicious. (Subject + Verb + Complement)
4. She sent her friend a postcard. (Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object)

The teacher called the student smart. (Subject + Verb + Object + Complement)