Direct and indirect word order in english

In English, the word order is strict. That means we can’t place parts of the sentence wherever we want, but we should follow some certain rules when making sentences. These rules apply not only to formal language but also to everyday spoken English. So, we should learn and always follow them.

Direct word order and inversion

When the sentence is positive (affirmative), the word order is direct. That means the verb follows the subject.

In questions (interrogative sentences) the subject and the verb swap places. We call it indirect word order, or inversion.

If there is an auxiliary verb, its first word will precede the subject.

Direct and indirect objects

The object normally goes right after the verb. We don’t put any other words between them.

In the examples above, the object is direct. A direct object answers the question «whom» or «what» and there is no preposition after the verb. If we can’t put the object without a preposition (talk to smb, agree with smb, rely on smb), the object is indirect.

Now, if we have two objects, one is indirect and the other is direct, then the direct object has the priority to go first.

If there are two direct objects and one of them is a pronoun, the pronoun goes behind the verb.

Place and time

Expressions of time and place usually go together after the verb and the object (if there is one). We first indicate the place (where, where to) and then the time (when, how often, how long).

lt is often possible to put time at the beginning of the sentence.

Summary

Let’s briefly sum up the rules:

1. Positive sentence: subject + verb. Question sentence: verb + subject
2. Do not split the verb and the object
3. Direct objects go before the indirect objects
4. If one of two direct objects is a pronoun, it goes first
5. Place goes before time

Normally, sentences in the English language take a simple form. However, there are times it would be a little complex. In these cases, the basic rules for how words appear in a sentence can help you.

Word order typically refers to the way the words in a sentence are arranged. In the English language, the order of words is important if you wish to accurately and effectively communicate your thoughts and ideas.

Although there are some exceptions to these rules, this article aims to outline some basic sentence structures that can be used as templates. Also, the article provides the rules for the ordering of adverbs and adjectives in English sentences.

Basic Sentence Structure and word order rules in English

For English sentences, the simple rule of thumb is that the subject should always come before the verb followed by the object. This rule is usually referred to as the SVO word order, and then most sentences must conform to this. However, it is essential to know that this rule only applies to sentences that have a subject, verb, and object.

For example

Subject + Verb + Object

He loves food

She killed the rat

Sentences are usually made of at least one clause. A clause is a string of words with a subject(noun) and a predicate (verb). A sentence with just one clause is referred to as a simple sentence, while those with more than one clause are referred to as compound sentences, complex sentences, or compound-complex sentences.

The following is an explanation and example of the most commonly used clause patterns in the English language.

Inversion

The English word order is inverted in questions. The subject changes its place in a question. Also, English questions usually begin with a verb or a helping verb if the verb is complex.

For example

Verb + Subject + object

Can you finish the assignment?

Did you go to work?

Intransitive Verbs

Some sentences use verbs that require no object or nothing else to follow them. These verbs are generally referred to as intransitive verbs. With intransitive verbs, you can form the most basic sentences since all that is required is a subject (made of one noun) and a predicate (made of one verb).

For example

Subject + verb

John eats

Christine fights

Linking Verbs

Linking verbs are verbs that connect a subject to the quality of the subject. Sentences that use linking verbs usually contain a subject, the linking verb and a subject complement or predicate adjective in this order.

For example

Subject + verb + Subject complement/Predicate adjective

The dress was beautiful

Her voice was amazing

Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are verbs that tell what the subject did to something else. Sentences that use transitive verbs usually contain a subject, the transitive verb, and a direct object, usually in this order.

For example

Subject + Verb + Direct object

The father slapped his son

The teacher questioned his students

Indirect Objects

Sentences with transitive verbs can have a mixture of direct and indirect objects. Indirect objects are usually the receiver of the action or the audience of the direct object.

For example

Subject + Verb + IndirectObject + DirectObject

He gave the man a good job.

The singer gave the crowd a spectacular concert.

The order of direct and indirect objects can also be reversed. However, for the reversal of the order, there needs to be the inclusion of the preposition “to” before the indirect object. The addition of the preposition transforms the indirect object into what is called a prepositional phrase.

For example

Subject + Verb + DirectObject + Preposition + IndirectObject

He gave a lot of money to the man

The singer gave a spectacular concert to the crowd.

Adverbials

Adverbs are phrases or words that modify or qualify a verb, adjective, or other adverbs. They typically provide information on the when, where, how, and why of an action. Adverbs are usually very difficult to place as they can be in different positions in a sentence. Changing the placement of an adverb in a sentence can change the meaning or emphasis of that sentence.

Therefore, adverbials should be placed as close as possible to the things they modify, generally before the verbs.

For example

He hastily went to work.

He hurriedly ate his food.

However, if the verb is transitive, then the adverb should come after the transitive verb.

For example

John sat uncomfortably in the examination exam.

She spoke quietly in the class

The adverb of place is usually placed before the adverb of time

For example

John goes to work every morning

They arrived at school very late

The adverb of time can also be placed at the beginning of a sentence

For example

On Sunday he is traveling home

Every evening James jogs around the block

When there is more than one verb in the sentence, the adverb should be placed after the first verb.

For example

Peter will never forget his first dog

She has always loved eating rice.

Adjectives

Adjectives commonly refer to words that are used to describe someone or something. Adjectives can appear almost anywhere in the sentence.

Adjectives can sometimes appear after the verb to be

For example

He is fat

She is big

Adjectives can also appear before a noun.

For example

A big house

A fat boy

However, some sentences can contain more than one adjective to describe something or someone. These adjectives have an order in which they can appear before a now. The order is

Opinion – size – physical quality – shape – condition – age – color – pattern – origin – material – type – purpose

If more than one adjective is expected to come before a noun in a sentence, then it should follow this order. This order feels intuitive for native English speakers. However, it can be a little difficult to unpack for non-native English speakers.

For example

The ugly old woman is back

The dirty red car parked outside your house

When more than one adjective comes after a verb, it is usually connected by and

For example

The room is dark and cold

Having said that, Susan is tall and big

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Published on
20 October 2022
by

Shane Bryson.

Revised on
6 February 2023.

In theory, English sentences take a simple form much of the time. The basic rules for which words appear in a sentence can help you with most of the sentences you’ll need in academic writing.

If we push on these rules, we’ll find many exceptions, but the point here is only to provide a kind of template that can be followed much of the time.

Table of contents

1. Basic sentence structure
2. Intransitive verb
3. Linking verb
4. Transitive verb
5. Indirect object
6. Reversed direct and indirect object
7. Continue reading: Word order rules for

This article outlines some basic sentence structures that can be used as templates and provides rules for the ordering of adverbs and adjectives in English sentences.

Basic sentence structure

Sentences are made of clauses, and the simplest sentence has only one clause. In fact, sentences with only one clause are called “simple sentences”. We’re going to look at variations of only this kind of sentence, since these patterns are simply repeated in the additional clauses added to more complicated sentences (“compound sentences,” “complex sentences,” and “compound-complex sentences”).

The following is an explanation of the most common and easily used clause patterns you’ll use or find used in English.

A clause is a string of words with a subject (the thing doing the action) and a predicate (the action itself). A subject must contain a noun, and a predicate must contain a verb. That said, the subject is usually made up of not only that noun but all of the words that come along with it (e.g. “The large book…”), and the predicate is made up of not only that verb, but all of the words that come along with it (e.g. “…sits on the table).

In the example sentences below, the verb position and all that follows it are part of the predicate.

Intransitive verb

Some sentences use verbs that require nothing to follow them, and these are called intransitive verbs. With these we can form our most basic sentences, since all that’s necessary is a subject made of one noun and predicate made of one verb.

subject + verb

Smaug sleeps.

Linking verb

When a sentence uses a different kind of verb, that verb can be either a transitive verb or a linking verb. A linking verb connects a subject to a quality of that subject. This quality is called a “subject complement” or a “predicate adjective.”

subject + verb + subject complement

The sun was bright.

Transitive verb

A transitive verb tells what the subject did to something else. This “something else” we call the direct object.

subject + verb + direct object

The big man kicked the round ball.

Indirect object

We can add another position to a sentence like the last one, though. A sentence with a transitive verb can add to the mix an indirect object, the audience of the action or the thing that receives the direct object.

subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

The generous man fed the dog a bone.

She sang the crowd a quiet song.

Reversed direct and indirect object

This ordering of the direct object and indirect object can also be reversed. Notice the necessary addition of the preposition “to” when the order is reversed (and notice also that the addition of the preposition technically transforms the indirect object into what’s called a prepositional phrase).

We could add “to” in the examples above (e.g. “She sang to the crowd a quiet song”), but it’s not necessary. When “to” is necessary, you know the ordering is as below.

subject + verb + direct object + indirect object (i.e. now a prepositional phrase)

The generous man fed a bone to the dog.

She sang a quiet song to the crowd.

Continue reading: Word order rules for

Adverbials or Adjectives

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Every language has its own grammar and structural rules. Likewise, English has its own set of guidelines to be followed. While some languages pay more attention to each word’s meaning, English considers the importance of how the words are positioned to properly express their meaning. The words positioning or arrangement in a sentence follows a specific pattern, also known as word order. 

English word order is strict and almost fixed. It rarely changes, even if you extend your sentences or add some details. Most of the time they remain following the same order even if your sentence is positive, negative, or even if you are using a declarative or an interrogative sentence. While you can shuffle some words in your sentences according to your purposes, it is still suggested that the basic structure is followed. This makes your messages be easily understood by native speakers. It is critical to follow word order because changing it can also change the meaning of a sentence. How the words are arranged has an impact on the interpretation and correctness of your sentences. When words are put in the wrong order, they stand out. Your sentences can be confusing and unclear. 

Compare the sentences below:

Apples bought Tom

Tom bought apples

Notice that the words used in the example above are the same but arranged differently. 

“Apples bought Tom.” 

The first sentence is confusing and seems like it doesn’t make sense. If you’ll try to understand it, its meaning seems to be the apples bought Tom.

“Tom bought apples.”

The second sentence is easier to understand and expresses an organized thought. By using the correct order, you will understand that the writer means Tom bought apples. 

As a communicator, your aim is to speak and write clearly and convey meanings appropriately. To achieve this, you must familiarize yourself with different patterns or word order. This post provides a list of several patterns that we commonly use. 

Pattern 1: Subject-Verb (S-V)

Sentences must have a subject and a verb. The subject almost always comes first before the verb, since the subject is what the sentence is about. Your main verb is always in the second position. Verbs used in this pattern are intransitive verbs. This pattern is sometimes called the Noun-Verb (N-V) pattern.

Example 1:

Flowers bloom

→ Flowers (S) bloom (V)

Example 2:

Sun shines

→ Sun (S) shines (V)

Example 3:

Tom shouts 

→ Tom (S) shouts (V)

Example 4:

Ice melts 

→ Ice (S) melts (V)

Example 5:

Water spills 

→ Water (S) spills (V)

Things to remember:

A subject can be a person, place, or thing that the sentence talks about. It can be a noun or a pronoun. Moreover, it can be a single word or group of words. 

A verb is an action or state of being. It is mostly a part of your predicate and tells something about the subject. 

An intransitive verb is a verb that does not take an object, neither followed by a prepositional phrase nor by a complement of any kind. 

Pattern 2: Subject – Verb – Direct Object (S-V-O)

In English grammar, the most commonly used structure is the subject-predicate-object pattern. Most sentences conform to this pattern. Even sentences are expanded and become complex sentences, it still follows this rule. Native English speakers rarely move away from this rule, as this shows the correct English. In this pattern, the subject comes first and is followed by the verb. The direct object goes after the verb. Transitive verbs are used in this pattern. 

Example 1:

Plants need water. 

→ Plants (S) need (V)  water (DO)

Example 2:

The doctor prescribes medicine. 

→ The doctor  (S) prescribes medicine  (DO)

Example 3:

Tom likes Martha. 

→ Tom (S)  likes (V)  Martha  (DO)

Example 4:

She drinks coffee. 

→ She (S) drinks (V) coffee  (DO)

Example 5:

I ate cheese. 

→ I (S) ate (V) cheese  (DO)

Things to remember:

A direct object is a person, thing, or animal that receives or is affected by the verb’s action. It could be a noun or a pronoun. It could also be a word or group of words.

Transitive verbs are verbs that have a direct object or having something or someone who receives the verb’s action.

Sentences with two objects

In some sentences, there are two objects. One is the direct object, and the other is the indirect object. Regardless of having two objects, the sentence will still commonly follow the SVO word order.

Pattern 3: Subject-Verb-Indirect Object-Direct Object (S-V-IO-DO)

The indirect object usually goes before the direct object, just like in this pattern. A transitive verb is used in this structure. This pattern is also sometimes referred to as N1 – V – N2 – N3.

Example 1:  

Tom gave her flowers. 

→ Tom (S) gave (V)  her (IO)  flowers (DO) 

Example 2:

Martha sent him chocolates. 

→   Martha  (S)  sent (V) him (IO) chocolates (DO)

Example 3:

Teachers provide students with knowledge. 

→ Teachers  (S)  provide (V) students (IO) with knowledge (DO)

Example 4:

News programs show us current events. 

→  News programs  (S)  shows  (V) us (IO) current events (DO)

Example 5:

You deliver her parcel.

→  You (S) deliver (V) her (IO)  parcel. (DO)

Things to remember:

An indirect object is a person or thing that the action is done to or for.  It tells to whom or for whom the action is done.

Pattern 4: Subject – Verb – Direct Object – Indirect Object (S-V-DO-IO)

Although the indirect object (IO) mostly comes before the direct object (DO), there are instances when IO comes after the DO. When the indirect object is preceded by the word ‘to’, the IO will go after the DO. 

Example 1: 

S – V – IO – DO  → Tom gave her flowers. 

S – V – IO – DO → Tom (S) gave (V) flowers (DO) to her (IO)

Example 2:

S – V – IO – DO →  Martha sent him chocolates. 

S – V – IO – DO →   Martha (S) sent (V) chocolates (DO) to him (IO)

Example 3:

S – V – IO – DO  →  Teachers provide students with knowledge.

S – V – IO – DO → Teachers (S) provide (V) knowledge (DO) to students (IO)

Example 4:

S – V – IO – DO → News programs show us current events. 

S – V – IO – DO →  News programs (S) shows  (V) current events  (DO) to us (IO) 

Example 5:

S – V – IO – DO  → You deliver her parcel.

S – V – IO – DO →  You (S) delivers (V)  parcel (DO) to her (IO)

Pattern 5: Subject – Linking Verb – Subject Complement (Adjective) (S-LV-SC A)

In some sentence structures, we use linking verbs and adjectives to provide descriptions. In this instance, you can use the S-LV-SC (A) pattern.

Example 1:

The flowers are colorful.

→ The flowers (S) are (LV) colorful (SC-A)

Example 2:

Candies are sweet.

→ Candies (S) are (LV) sweet (SC-A)

Example 3:

Farmers are industrious. 

→ Farmers (S) are (LV) industrious (SC-A)

Example 4:

Internet connection is fast.

→ Internet connection (S) is (LV) fast (SC-A)

Example 5:

You are reliable. 

→ You (S) are (LV) reliable(SC-A)

Things to remember:

A linking verb is a verb that connects the subject with a noun or adjective describes it.

A subject complement is a word or group of words that follows a linking verb. It completes the meaning of the subject by renaming or describing it.

Pattern 6 – Subject – Verb – Object – Objective Complement (Adjective) (S-V-O-OC A)

Other sentences include a complement to their object by using an adjective. The appropriate word order for this is S-V-O-OC (A).

Example 1:

Martha considers the report valid.

→ Martha (S) considers (V) the report (O) valid (OC-A)

Example 2:

The supervisor found the raw materials defective.

→ The supervisor (S) found (V)  the raw materials (O) defective (OC-A)

Example 3:

Online learning makes education accessible.

→ Online learning (S) makes (V)  education (O)  accessible (OC-A)

Example 4:

The expert declares the artifacts genuine.

→ The expert (S) declares (V)  the artifacts (O)  genuine (OC-A)

Example 5:

Critics rated the survey invalid. 

→ Critics (S) rated (V)  the survey (O)  invalid (OC-A)

Things to remember:

An objective complement is a word or group of words that compliment the direct object. It describes or makes a judgment about the object.

Interrogative Sentences

Asking questions is part of communicating. When asking questions, you use interrogative sentences. You will notice that even in this kind of sentence the subject-verb-object pattern will still be followed. Question words and auxiliary verbs are used in these sentences, and they are placed before the subject.

Pattern 7: Auxiliary verb + Subject + Verb (AV-S-V) 

In some questions, we typically ask about the action of the person. In this case, you will use the AV-S-V pattern.

Example 1:

Can you cook?

→ Can (AV) you (S) cook(V)

Example 2:

Did she come?

→ Did (AV) she (S) come (V)

Example 3:

Is he joining?

→ Is (AV) he (S) joining (V)

Example 4:

Shall I wait?

→ Shall (AV) I (S) wait (V)

Example 5:

Will you follow?

→ Will (AV) you (S) follow (V)

Note: You can also expand and add details to our questions to make it more specific. You can add question words.

 Example 1: 

Without question word: Can you cook?

With question word: How can you cook?

Example 2: 

Without question word: Did she come?

With question word: When did she come?

 Example 3: 

Without question word: Is he joining?

With question word: When is he joining?

 Example 4:  

Without question word: Shall I wait?

With question word: Where shall I wait?

Example 5: 

Without question word: Will you follow?

With question word: Who will you follow?

Pattern 8: Auxiliary verb + Subject + Adjective (AV-S-A) 

In some questions, the focus is on the description of a person, thing, events, process, etc. In this case, you will use the AV-S-A pattern.

Example 1:

Is she beautiful?

→ Is (AV) she (S) beautiful (A)

Example 2:

Is it loud?

→ Is (AV) it  (S) loud (A)

Example 3:

Is the venue crowded? 

→ Is (AV) the venue  (S) crowded (A) 

Things to remember:

An interrogative sentence is a kind of sentence that asks a question. 

Question Words that you can use when writing interrogative sentences are who, what, when, why, where, and how.

Conclusion

While some ignore the importance of word order, it is beneficial to understand its effect in your sentences. Some messages with good content lose their impact just because of the wrong word order. If you can review the word order of your sentences before delivering your messages, do it. This will make your messages clear and easy to understand. Mastering the patterns above will help you to understand, speak, and write English well. Once you master it, writing in the correct pattern will be natural to you. 

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