Sentences with incorrect word order

I continue my quest for editing and revising, Prophecy Ink, my newest novel. I sit with a lovely cup of tea or frothy cocoa and scrutinize my work. Did I really make that mistake? I could feel inept or embarrassed, but there’s no point. I’m not the first person to make simple mistakes or complicated ones, and I won’t be the last. Which is why I’m sharing my journey so you can rest assured that it’s all okay.

On my last post, I showed how messy my Grammar is by Grammarly’s standards. I’m not afraid to admit to mistakes. If I didn’t have any then I’d have less to blog about. I learn a lot as I go and sometimes it’s gentle “Duh” reminders of something I should know, did know, and maybe forgot… temporarily. To recap, I had 19 sentence structure errors. Not bad, not bad at all.
Sentence Structure: 19
Here are some common sentence structure problems found in my draft of Prophecy Ink. In pink is today’s subject, in purple crossed out has already been covered. Missed it? No problem just click on the purple crossed out word and it will take you to the post.

Incorrect word order
Missing Verb √ 
Squinting Modifier
Incorrect Adverb Placement
Missing _____ in emphatic sentence

Continuing with Incorrect word order. I do this all the time. I find that a big reason for this is simply local jargon, dialect or phrases. Now if found in dialogue, I think carefully, do I want it to be bad since people talk that way? Sometimes. Too much can be irritating to a reader. Outside dialogue, there is no excuse and they all need to be fixed. Here are some examples and what the Grammarly program shows me.

I smiled as the funeral director came to tell me the room was set for my guests and me.

I do this a lot. Meh. It’s easy to fix. I can rewrite the sentence or with Grammarly, I click the offered green correction and it fixes it for me with its suggestion. Easy peasy.

There was the chance that he would run but why he would?

This example is one that doesn’t work. (Yes there are other issues with the sentence including the extra word ‘the’ that I took out and replaced it with ‘that’. I’ll leave the rest for other examples.) The reason for this ‘weird fix’ is because I’ve put a rhetorical question in the narrative. It’s a good idea to avoid this as much as possible. To fix it I would rewrite the sentence completely or remove the rhetorical part of it.

The Grammarly suggestion was silly and wouldn’t make sense. Instead, I cleaned up the messy sentence with a simple rewrite.
There was the unlikely chance that he would run.

Incorrect word order is easy to do, it’s also easy to spot and super easy to fix. Sometimes It’s me typing too fast or my fingers not keeping up with my brain. Sometimes it’s as simple as me making a mistake. Stressing about it won’t help. It does need to be fixed and it will be.

My advice about Incorrect Word Order:

Happens it does, fix it you will easily. Haha, I sound like Yoda. Pay attention to the suggested fix it may point out a bigger problem. As always every mistake is a chance to correct it and a bigger opportunity to make it even better. 

-Sheryl

Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved

Froth

You’re about to find out the 2 typical mistakes that English learners make with word order. Click here for 3 more classic mistakes that learners make.

One of the most common mistakes I hear from my students and friends is getting the word order wrong in English.

Why is this important?

Word order is really, really important in English and sometimes can change the whole meaning of a sentence.

Here are the two most common word order mistakes I hear.

Are you making these mistakes, too?

If so, I’m going to show you how to fix them, and you can thank me. With magic cakes, please.

Word Order in English Mistake #1

A long, long time ago, I wrote a short post about how you can fix some of your most common English problems with one simple trick.

How?

Basically, we can look at sentences in colours.

So for example, you can divide the sentence “That rabbit attacks people” into three parts:

The red part is the verb and the blue parts … aren’t.

With this “blue-red-blue,” we can make a basic sentence.

But sometimes we want to add “extra information” to a sentence.

So instead of saying:

I met Charles Dickens.

You might want to add:

I met Charles Dickens in my dream last night.

The extra information (“in my dream last night”) isn’t grammatically necessary, but it might stop people from thinking you’re a bit mad.

In a lot of languages, we can just put the extra information anywhere we like.

But unfortunately, English just isn’t that free.

Usually, the most natural place to add extra information is at the end of a sentence:

And sometimes at the beginning of the sentence:

Just don’t add it here:

That’s it — just remember “blue-red-blue-black.”

Word Order in English Mistake #2

I hear this one a lot.

Especially from cat people.

To solve this, we need to go back to “blue-red-blue” (and sometimes black) thinking.

So, remember I told you that most sentences are “blue-red-blue”:

And that if we want to add extra information, it usually goes at the end:

Or at the beginning:

Well, we also have another type of extra information, which can break the “blue-red-blue” rule.

I call them “VIP adverbs” — that’s because they’re the only words that can go in the middle of “blue-red-blue.”

But what are they?

VIP adverbs are usually one-word adverbs.

They include frequency adverbs:
Sometimes, usually, never, often, seldom, etc.

They include adverbs that come from adjectives:
Quickly, deftly, sexily, etc.

They can also include time adverbs:
Suddenly, eventually, immediately, etc.

And some other types of adverbs:
Only, just, also, really, etc.

There are a few one-word adverbs that aren’t VIP adverbs. Common ones include:
Here, there, today, tomorrow, outside and maybe.
These ones usually go at the end of the sentence.

But where do VIP adverbs go exactly?

In most languages they go here:

But not in English, of course.

Because English likes to be “different” and uncooperative. Or at least it seems like that, right?

In English, they go right in the middle:

Let’s look at some examples.

With two-part verbs

The VIP adverb goes right in the middle:

So that’s why we say:

“I will always love you.” (Like in that song.)
“He’ll never know… He’ll never know! Ha ha ha ha!” (Like in this excellent episode of Black Books.)
“I’ve always been crazy.”

With one-part verbs

It gets a little tricky when we look at one-part verbs:

Where’s the auxiliary? It’s not there!

Actually, it is there. It’s just invisible:

Confused? Let’s take a step back. Click here for a quick overview of auxiliaries.

So where does the VIP adverb go?

You guessed it! Right in the middle.

With non-action verbs

What do I mean by “non-action” verbs?

Here are a few examples:

I’m very happy with your massive hat.

He was a pig, but he’s much better now.

We’re here. Where are you?

All of these sentences use the verb “be” (am, is, are, was, were) without another verb. Notice that there’s no real “action” in the sentences.

I kind of consider “be” more of a “half verb” (when it’s used this way). It doesn’t really do anything, right?

And it’s all by itself in the red there. Without any friends:

As you can see, when there’s no other verb, “be” is in the first of the two red parts.

So where does the VIP adverb go?

The same place as always — right in the middle of the “blue-red-blue.”

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So there we are — two classic mistakes that, in a way, come from the same problem.

How much do you remember? Let’s see. Can you fix these sentences?

1. I don’t know very well Manchester.
2. We went today to the big castle.
3. He was last year a doctor. Now he makes millions playing Sudoku.
4. We have also a lot of cats.
5. You never are here.
6. Your beautiful horse made suddenly a loud noise. It sounded weird.
7. Living here also will get boring.
8. Have you been ever to my father’s ice rink? You should — it’s awesome!

Answer in the comments!

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Did you find this useful? Do you know any people (or squirrels) that might also benefit from this? Then BE AWESOME AND SHARE! Spread the knowledge!

The standard order of words in an English sentence is subject + verb + object. While this sounds simple, there are far more complicated sentences where placing the words in the right order may turn out quite challenging. 

Here we have prepared three types of interactive exercises created on Learning Apps and suitable for the Intermediate level.

Task 1. Choose the correct word order of the sentences

This exercise presents two options of sentences in which one sentence has the correct word order while the other does not. Here students get a general understanding of word order in English.

Task 2. Put the words in the correct order

Here students go deeper and have more practice with the word order in English. In the exercise, they will find examples with different types of adjectives, adverbs, indirect questions, etc.

Task 3. Complete the questions with the correct question tags

The last exercise aims to check how well your students know the rules of question tags.

Share with us in the comments below how effective the exercises were and how you usually practise word order with your Intermediate students.

Read as well:

• #1

Hi.

I was thinking of word orders for sentences using «can» and «do.»
Please correct me if I’m wrong:

Tell me what you can do. (I guess this one is correct.)

What can you do? (I guess this one is correct.)

Why can’t you do it? (I guess this one is correct.)

Could you tell me how this sounds to you as a native speaker?

«Why you can’t do it?»
(This might be incorrect grammatically but it sounds fine/colloquial to me…)

Thank you!

• #2

They’re all fine, except «Why you can’t do it?.» (You can, however, say «Tell me why you can’t do it.»)

• #3

Thank you so much Chris K for your answer and additional info!!

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.

1. The
   English is one of the most important languages in the world.

2. United
   Kingdom consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

3. Last
   year we visited Canada and United States

4. When
   you are in London, you must see National Gallery.

5. The
   Africa is much large than Europe.

6. Would
   you like to be the builder?

7. We
   always give our mother the flowers on her birthday.

8. My
   friend has a cat and the dog.

9. She
   lives in small a flat.

10. What
    time do you go to the bed?

Word order

XIII. Rewrite the sentences with incorrect word order correctly.

1. Why
   weren’t you last night at home? 2. On Monday I’m going to
   Prague. 3. Our teacher speaks fluently English. 4. I don’t like
   very much watching TV. 5. He drives to work every day his car. 6.
   Why did you come so late home? 7. Have you recently been to the
   theatre? 8. We all are going out this evening for a meal. 9. I only
   was joking. I read carefully the letter.

XIV. Make up sentences from the given words.

1. took, the
   children, from the cupboard, some cakes, after breakfast. 2. was,
   born, in the morning, at 2 o’clock, 2005, the baby, on 17^th
   march. 3. have lived, England, for, in, five years, they. 4. sings,
   beautifully, that song, Jane, generally. 5. did, home late, why, so,
   come, you. 6. I, next, to going, London, a few, am, week, days, for.
   7. don’t, question, please, again, that, ask. 8. usually, come,
   four o’clock, the students, noisily, out of class, at. 9.
   immediately, I, bed, got out of. 10. he, by, in the morning, the
   back door, the house, left. 11. ago, went, a fishing boat, two
   years, I, in, Ireland. 12. she, three o’clock, on Saturday, came
   in, at, in the morning. 13. ago, over, last, I, in June, two years,
   one afternoon, saw, him. 14. we, in the house, bottles, have got, of
   lemonade, only, a few. 15. my mother, go, the theatre, does, often,
   to, not. 16. that old man, you, what, can say, understand, hardly.

XV. Rewrite the sentences including the words in brackets.

Example:
Have you been to England (ever)? Have you ever been to England?

1. Did you
enjoy the party (both)? 2. He grows in his garden (orchids and
lilies). 3. The delegates met yesterday (at 5 o’clock). 4. I was
this morning (o’clock, there, at 3). 5. I am happy (always). 7. I
rang up (my friend). 8. Give him for his services (five dollars). 9.
He came home (every day, early). 10. Lets meet (at 5 o’clock,
tomorrow, near the post office). 11. My mother read stories (me,
often, when I was a little boy, on Sundays).

Question forms

1. Put
   questions to these sentences:

Model: She’s French. –
Is she French?

a. It’s raining. b. They are
at school. c. They are learning English. d. You are tired. e. You
were at home last night. f. I’m all right. g. He’s got blond
hair. h. You can speak Danish.

1. Put
   questions to these sentences:

Model: You like music. –
Do you like music?

1. She
   comes from France. b. They live in a flat. c. You take sugar in tea.
   d. I speak English well. e. You watched a film last night. f. It
   started at 8.00. g. You want to go home. h. He works hard.

1. Put the words in the
   right order to ask question.

1.buy you
the did at what shops ?

1. is
   who teacher the ?

2. parents
   moment where you’re the at are ?

3. her
   you see when did?

4. Italy
   go you why to did ?

5. You
   how to come school do ?

6. That
   is car whose ?

1. Put a question word
   into each gap.

Model
What’s
your
name?

Kate:
Good
morning? Dad!

Dad:
Good morning? My love. (a) _____are you today?

Kate:
Fine.
Thanks.

Dad:
I didn’t hear you come home last night. (b) ____time did you get
in?

Kate:
About
11.00 o’clock.

Dad:
(c)______did you go?

Kate:
Just
round to Beth’s house.

Dad:
There’s a letter for you on the table.

Kate:
Oh!
(d)___is it from?

Dad:
I don’t know. Open it and see.

Kate: Oh!

Dad:
(e)___1s the matter?

Kate:
Nothing.
It’s from Luis in Spain.

Dad:
That’s interesting.

Kate: He
says he’s coming to England soon.

Dad:
(f ___?)

Kate:
Because
he’s going to learn English.

Dad:
(g) ____?

Kate:
Here
in London.

Dad:
(h) ___school is he going to?

Kate: He
doesn’t know yet.

Dad:
(i)_____is he coming?

Kate:
Next
week.

Dad:
You must invite him round. (j)_____don’t you write back and invite
him to Sunday lunch?

Kate:
OK!,
I will. Thanks, Dad.

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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