It really is true that word order

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1. What is Word Order?

Word order is important: it’s what makes your sentences make sense! So, proper word order is an essential part of writing and speaking—when we put words in the wrong order, the result is a confusing, unclear, and an incorrect sentence.

2.Examples of Word Order

Here are some examples of words put into the correct and incorrect order:

I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters at home. CORRECT

2 brothers and 2 sisters have I at home. INCORRECT

I am in middle school. CORRECT

In middle school I am. INCORRECT

How are you today? CORRECT

You are how today? INCORRECT

As you can see, it’s usually easy to see whether or not your words are in the correct order. When words are out of order, they stand out, and usually change the meaning of a sentence or make it hard to understand.

3. Types of Word Order

In English, we follow one main pattern for normal sentences and one main pattern for sentences that ask a question.

a. Standard Word Order

A sentence’s standard word order is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). Remember, the subject is what a sentence is about; so, it comes first. For example:

The dog (subject) + eats (verb) + popcorn (object).

The subject comes first in a sentence because it makes our meaning clear when writing and speaking. Then, the verb comes after the subject, and the object comes after the verb; and that’s the most common word order. Otherwise, a sentence doesn’t make sense, like this:

Eats popcorn the dog. (verb + object + subject)

Popcorn the dog eats. (object + subject + verb)

B. Questions

When asking a question, we follow the order auxiliary verb/modal auxiliary + subject + verb (ASV). Auxiliary verbs and modal auxiliaries share meaning or function, many which are forms of the verb “to be.” Auxiliary verbs can change form, but modal auxiliaries don’t. Here’s a chart to help you:

As said, questions follow the form ASV; or, if they have an object, ASVO. Here are some examples:

Can he cook?  “Can” (auxiliary) “he” (subject) “cook” (verb)

Does your dog like popcorn?  “Does” (A) “your dog” (S) “like” (V) “popcorn” (O)

Are you burning the popcorn? “Are” (A) “you” (S) “burning” (V) “popcorn” (O)

4. Parts of Word Order

While almost sentences need to follow the basic SVO word order, we add other words, like indirect objects and modifiers, to make them more detailed.

a. Indirect Objects

When we add an indirect object, a sentence will follow a slightly different order. Indirect objects always come between the verb and the object, following the pattern SVIO, like this:

I fed the dog some popcorn.

This sentence has “I” (subject) “fed” (verb) “dog” (indirect object) “popcorn” (direct object).

b. Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases also have special positions in sentences. When we use the prepositions like “to” or “for,” then the indirect object becomes part of a prepositional phrase, and follows the order SVOP, like this:

I fed some popcorn to the dog.

Other prepositional phrases, determining time and location, can go at either the beginning or the end of a sentence:

            He ate popcorn at the fair.      -Or-     At the fair he ate popcorn.

      In the morning I will go home.            I will go home in the morning.

c. Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, adding things like time, manner, degree; and often end in ly, like “slowly,” “recently,” “nearly,” and so on. As a rule, an adverb (or any modifier) should be as close as possible to the thing it is modifying. But, adverbs are special because they can usually be placed in more than one spot in the sentence and are still correct. So, there are rules about their placement, but also many exceptions.

In general, when modifying an adjective or adverb, an adverb should go before the word it modifies:

The dog was extremely hungry. CORRECT adverb modifies “hungry”

Extremely, the dog was hungry. INCORRECT misplaced adverb

The extremely dog was hungry. INCORRECT misplaced adverb

The dog was hungry extremely. INCORRECT misplaced adverb

As you can see, the word “extremely” only makes sense just before the adjective “hungry.” In this situation, the adverb can only go in one place.

When modifying a verb, an adverb should generally go right after the word it modifies, as in the first sentence below. BUT, these other uses are also correct, though they may not be the best:

The dog ran quickly to the fair. CORRECT * BEST POSITION

Quickly the dog ran to the fair. CORRECT

The dog quickly ran to the fair. CORRECT

The dog ran to the fair quickly. CORRECT

For adverbs expressing frequency (how often something happens) the adverb goes directly after the subject:

The dog always eats popcorn.

He never runs slowly.

I rarely see him.

Adverbs expressing time (when something happens) can go at either the beginning or of the end of the sentence, depending what’s important about the sentence. If the time isn’t very important, then it goes at the beginning of the sentence, but if you want to emphasize the time, then the adverb goes at the end of the sentence:

Now the dog wants popcorn. Emphasis on “the dog wants popcorn”

The dog wants popcorn now. Emphasis on “now”

5. How to Use Avoid Mistakes with Word Order

Aside from following the proper SVO pattern, it’s important to write and speak in the way that is the least confusing and the most clear. If you make mistakes with your word order, then your sentences won’t make sense. Basically, if a sentence is hard to understand, then it isn’t correct. Here are a few key things to remember:

• The subject is what a sentence is about, so it should come first.
• A modifier (like an adverb) should generally go as close as possible to the thing it is modifying.
• Indirect objects can change the word order from SVO to SVIO
• Prepositional phrases have special positions in sentences

Finally, here’s an easy tip: when writing, always reread your sentences out loud to make sure that the words are in the proper order—it is usually pretty easy to hear! If a sentence is clear, then you should only need to read it once to understand it.

Как же все не любят грамматику

Like vs as

Like = ‘similar to’, ‘the same as’ (подобно, похоже, как, как будто, также как)

Note that you cannot use as in this way:
Обратите внимание, что предлог as не может употребляться в следующих случаях:

• What a beautiful house! It’s like a palace, (not ‘as a palace’)
• ‘What does Sandra do?’ ‘She’s a teacher, like me.’ (not ‘as me’)
• Be careful! The floor has been polished. It’s like walking on ice. (not ‘as walking’)
• It’s raining again. I hate weather like this, (not ‘as this’)

In these sentences like is a preposition. So it is followed by a noun (like a palace), a pronoun (like me / like this) or -ing (like walking).
В этих предложениях like используется в качестве предлога. Поэтому за ним следуют существительное, местоимение или герундий.

You can also say ‘like [somebody/something] doing [something]’:
• ‘What’s that noise?’ ‘It sounds like a baby crying.’

Sometimes like = ‘for example’:
Иногда like означает «например»
• Some sports, like motor racing, can be dangerous.
Некоторые виды спорта, например автомобильные гонки, могут быть опасными.
You can also use such as (= for example):
В этих случаях также можно употребить such as
• Some sports, such as motor racing, can be dangerous.

As (in preposition) = ‘in the position of, ‘in the form of’ (в качестве кого-л., чего-л.)
Значения as в роли предлога

• A few years ago I worked as a bus driver, (not ‘like a bus driver’)
• We’ve got a garage but we haven’t got a car, so we use the garage as a workshop.
• Many English words (for example, ‘work’ and ‘rain’) can be used as verbs or nouns.
• London is all right as a place to visit, but I wouldn’t like to live there.
• The news of her death came as a great shock.

Compare meanings of as and like:
Сравните значения as и like:

• Brenda Casey is the manager of a company. As the manager, she has to make many important decisions. (‘As the manager’ = in her position as the manager)
Brenda Casey менеждер компании. Как менеджер, она должна принимать много важных решений.
• Mary Stone is the assistant manager (assistant of Brenda Casey). Like the manager she also has to make important decisions. (‘Like the manager’ = similar to the manager)
Mary Stone ассистент менеджера. Также, как и менеджер, она должна принимать важные решения.

• During the war this hotel was used as a hospital. (So it really was a hospital)
Во время войны этот отель использовался в качестве больницы. (Он действительно являлся больницей)
• Everyone is ill at home. Our house is like a hospital. (It isn’t really a hospital)
Дома все болеют. Наш дом похож на больницу. (Но он не является ею на самом деле)

Also we use as before a subject + verb:
Также as используется перед конструкцией подлежащее + сказуемое
• I didn’t move anything. I left everything as I found it.
• They did as they promised. (= They did what they promised.)

Compare like and as in these sentences:
Сравните like and as в этих предложениях.

• You should have done it like this. (like + pronoun)
• You should have done it as I showed you. (as + subject + verb)

We also say as you know / as I said / as she expected / as I thought etc.:
• As you know, it’s Tom’s birthday next week. (= you know this already)
Как ты знаешь, на следующей неделе у Тома день рождения. (= ты уже это знаешь)
• Jane failed her driving test, as she expected. (= she expected this before)
Джейн провалила свой экзамен по вождению, как она и ожидала. (= она ожидала это прежде)

Note that we say as usual / as always (как обычно / как всегда)
• You’re late as usual.
Ты как всегда опоздал.

We say regard…as (расценивать, рассматривать в качестве; считать)
• I regard her as my best friend.
Я ее считаю моей лучшей подругой.

Practice

1. Put in like or as.

1. It’s raining again. I hate weather like this.
2. Jane failed her driving test as she expected.
3. Do you think Carol looks … her mother?
4. He really gets on my nerves. I can’t stand people … him.
5. Why didn’t you do it … I told you to do it?
6. ‘What does Bill do?’ ‘He’s a student, … most of his friends.’
7. Why do you never listen? Talking to you is … talking to the wall.
8. … I said yesterday, I’m thinking of changing my job.
9. Tom’s idea seemed a good one, so we did … he suggested.
10. It’s a difficult problem. I never know what to do in situations … this.
11. I’ll phone you tomorrow … usual, OK?
12. This tea is awful. It tastes … water.
13. Suddenly there was a terrible noise. It was … a bomb exploding.
14. She’s a very good swimmer. She swims … a fish.
15. I’m afraid I can’t meet you on Sunday … we arranged.
16. We met Keith last night. He was very cheerful … always.

2. Complete the sentences using like or as + one of the following:

a beginner
blocks of ice
a palace
a birthday present
a problem
a child
a church
winter
a tourist guide

1. This house is beautiful. It’s like a palace.
2. Margaret once had a part-time job … .
3. My feet are really cold. They’re … .
4. I’ve been learning Spanish for a few years but I still speak … .
5. I wonder what that building with the tower is. It looks … .
6. My brother gave me this watch … a long time ago.
7. It’s true that we disagree about some things but I don’t regard this … .
8. It’s very cold for the middle of summer. It’s … .
9. He’s 22 years old but he sometimes behaves … .

3. Put in like or as.

1. Your English is very fluent. I wish I could speak … you.
2. Don’t take my advice if you don’t want to. You can do … you like.
3. You waste too much time doing things … sitting in cafes all day.
4. I wish I had a car … yours.
5. There’s no need to change your clothes. You can go out, … you are.
6. My neighbour’s house is full of interesting things. It’s … a museum.
7. I think I preferred this room … was, before we decorated it.
8. When we asked Sue to help us, she agreed immediately, … I knew she would.
9. Sharon has been working … a waitress for the last two months.
10. While we were on holiday, we spent most of our time doing energetic things … sailing, water skiing and swimming.
11. You’re different from the other people I know. I don’t know anyone … you.
12. We don’t need all the bedrooms in the house, so we use one of them … a study.
13. … her father, Catherine has a very good voice.
14. The news that Sue and Jim were getting married came … a complete surprise to me.
15. At the moment I’ve got a temporary job in a bookshop. It’s OK … a temporary job, but I wouldn’t like to do it permanently.