Basic Sentence Patterns

I. Subject + Copula + Complement

1. Subject + Copula + Noun

A friend to everybody is a friend to nobody. Tom was once a newspaper reporter.

My children are a great comfort to me. She is no grammarian.

Their is no easy task.

Note:

　　He is no scholar. = He is somewhat illiterate. He is not a scholar. = He is not such a person as a scholar.

2. Subject + Copula + Pronoun

The cat climbing up the stairs is not yours; it's mine. It is something quite unusual.

How much is it?

3. Subject + Copula + Adjective (+ Prepositional Phrase)　

A) Subject + Copula + Adjective (+ Prepositional Phrase)

My trip to France was most pleasant. Are you angry at my words?

Our boss is quite content with his present position.

B) Subject + Copula + Adjective beginning with ‘a’ (+ Prepositional Phrase)

Miss Cathy and her sister are quite alike in appearance. He was not quite aware of the consequence of his decision.

Note:

　　The usual adjectives are：ablaze, abroad, adrift, aflame, afloat, afraid, alight, alive, alone, ashamed, asleep, awake等 。

C) Subject + Copula + Adjective + of-Phrase) (1)

Every time they meet us, they are full of complaints about something. He is careful of the rights of others.

Note:

　　The usual adjectives are：bare, capable, desirous, doubtful, fond, forgetful, free, guilty, ignorant, innocent, liberal, proud, quick, short, etc.

D) Subject + Copula + Adjective + of-Phrase) (2)

That's very thoughtful of your grandmother. It is very impolite of him to speak so loudly on such an occasion.

Note:

　　The usual adjectives are：careless, clever, considerate, cruel, foolish, good, kind, nice, right, rude, silly, stupid, unwise, wise, wrong, etc.

Such adjectives as these are frequently used to describe the character or quality of people.

4. Subject + Copula + -ing Participle

The situation is quite encouraging. What the speaker said was convincing to the listeners.

The world of food can be more exciting than the world of fancy. My daughter's hobby is collecting stamps.

What I like most is swimming in the sea. His main work is designing radio circuits.

Note:

　　The most commonly used –ing participles are：amusing, charming, encouraging, confusing, disappointing, discouraging, exciting, interesting, inviting, missing, misleading, obliging, pressing, promising, puzzling, refreshing, shocking, striking, surprising, etc..

5. Subject + Copula + -ed Participle

The airport is well designed. Is your friend qualified for the post?

Bicycles made in China are quite established in Africa. The new settlers are not yet accustomed to the weather here.

Note:

　　The most commonly used –ed participles are: upset, decided, delighted, devoted, disappointed, discouraged, distinguished, drunk, amused, astonished, offended, hurt, faded, frightened, amazed, married, excited, exhausted, experienced, inexperienced, interested, complicated, confused, contented, crowded, qualified, pleased, puzzled, reserved, satisfied, surprised, tired, worried, unexpected, unmarried, unprepared, unqualified, etc..

6. Subject + Copula + Adjective + inf.(phrase)

She is very reluctant to go with us. The whole family are anxious for you to come back soon.

A good student is always curious to learn. The parents are willing for their daughter to marry Mr Jackson.

7. Subject + Copula + Adjective Phrase + inf.(phrase)

This radio is too large to go into my pocket. The boy was clever enough not to commit such a stupid mistake.

Smith was so fortunate as to succeed.

8. Subject + Copula + Adjective + Wh-word + inf.(phrase)

The little child is not certain which to take. You must be careful how to handle the machine.

9. Subject + Copula + Adjective + Clause

The local people are determined that the project be completed in time.

Their daughter was very happy that she had got the opportunity to go to university.

The girl is still hesitant (about) what she should do next.

10. Subject + Copula + Adverb

The light was still on when he returned. Their neighbor will take care of their house while they are away.

　　The usual adverbs are：down, in, off, out, over, up等。

11. Subject + Copula + Prepositional Phrase

Matter is in constant motion and in constant change. The responsibility is on our president's shoulder.

The murderer is now under arrest.

12. Subject + Copula + of-phrase

Job seeking is of great interest to all the graduates. The two boys are (of) the same height.

What the school master said at the meeting was of much importance. All the napkins are (of) the same colour.

　　In the first two sentences abstract nouns are often used after of. More usages are: of no use, of great value, of some significance, of little assistance, of much help, of no interest, etc. And the prepositional phrase can be replaced by adjective equivalent：of great help = most helpful.

In the second two sentences ‘the same’ is used before ‘of’, which is often omitted and the nouns are often used to express age, measurement, color, etc：the same age, the same weight, the same length, the same size, the same price, the same width, etc.

13. Subject + Copula + inf. (phrase)

Our approach to nature is to seek answers in experiment. The duty of a postman is to deliver letters and parcels.

The only thing I can do is (to) convey your request. My intention is for you to learn as much vocabulary as possible.

14. Subject + Copula + Wh-word + inf. (phrase)

The trouble is how to find a new source of supply. The general's order was when and where to attack the enemy.

His hesitation was whether to return or press ahead.

15. Subject + Copula + Clause

Her impression is that he is in favour of the arrangement. That is why we decided to put the discussion off.

What's troubling me is that I don't have much experience in this kind of work.

It was almost as if everybody had come to know it. The world is no longer what it used to be.

16. Subject + Semi-copula + Complement

Their effort has proved to be a failure. The search for new materials remains a matter of considerable importance.

A pencil in a glass of water will appear broken. Her excuse doesn't sound convincing.

What has gone wrong with the recorder?

The most commonly used semi-copulas are：become, come, fall, feel, get, grow, keep, lie, look, seem, smell, taste, turn, etc.

II. Subject + Verb + (Adverbial)

1. Subject + Intransitive Verb + (Adverbial)

My watch has stopped. Heat, light, sound and electricity travel in waves. They talked face to face.

She drives as carefully as her husband. He behaves as if he were the boss. This sort of cloth doesn't tear easily.

Their products sell well on the European market.

2. Subject + Intransitive Verb + (for) + Complement

He walked for ten miles. The headmaster spoke for an hour. The river rose ten inches in the night.

There are a great deal of verbs with this pattern, some of the most usual are: climb, come, drive, drop, fall, follow, grow, jump, march, move, ride, rise, run, sink, swim, walk, weigh, work.

3. Subject + Intransitive Verb + inf. (phrase)

I came to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The old woman sat in a corner so as not to be noticed by anybody.

All the children laughed to see the clown stand on his hands. The young man seemed to have been fired by his boss.

Bob arrived at the airport only to find the plane gone already.

4. Subject + go-phrase

Some teachers at our college go to church every Sunday morning. Helen went to office at half past eight yesterday.

More examples of the usage: go to bed / college / hell / hospital / law / market / press / sea / school / town / war, etc.

5. Subject + Intransitive Verb + Nominal Adverbial

The forests stretched (for) miles and miles. That pair of trousers will last me at least another year.

The visitors have stayed in Hong Kong (for) a week.

Usual verbs are：cost, fall, live, march, measure, rise, run, travel, wait, walk, weight, work, etc.

6. Subject & Verb + so / not

I think so. He hopes so. I am afraid so. I hope not. He is afraid not.

Note:

Frequently the patter is inverted;

So I believe. So I’ve heard.

The verbs in this pattern are: be afraid, believe, expect, hope, say, suppose, think, etc. But the verbs hear, notice, see can be used only with the inverted pattern (So I hear, etc.)

7. Subject + Phrasal Verb + (Adverbial)

Some of the rules are dying out gradually. The plane for Shanghai takes off at ten to six.

Our material supplies will hold out for another month.

8. there + be + Subject + (Adverbial)

There is much truth in what you say. There have been many such incidents before in this area.

There is no harm in trying. There may be some misunderstanding between you and me.

9. there ＋ be ＋ no ＋ -ing participle (phrase)

There was no knowing when he would be back. There is no denying that he is a good leader.

There is no mistaking what has been agreed upon.

10. there ＋ Phrasal Verb ＋ Subject ＋ (Adverbial)

There happened to be a letter box at the corner of the street.

There used to be many traffic accidents before the fly-way was built.

11. there + Intransitive Verb ＋ Subject + (Adverbial)

There lies a big oil field beyond the hill. There runs a small river through the town.

There remained the ruins of the building after the fire.

Such intransitive verbs are：appear, arise, begin, come, emerge, exist, fall, follow, hang, land, live, occur, rise, sit, stand, etc.

III. Subject + Verb + Object

1. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun

The theory bears examination. They have known each other very well.

Anna cut herself in the kitchen this morning.

2. Subject + Transitive Verb + Cognate Noun

I dreamt a curious, terrible dream last night. The girl smiled a very sweet smile to her boy friend.

These old people are living a better life today.

Such cognate nouns are：sleep a sound sleep, laugh a hearty laugh, die a heroic death, sing a merry song, fight a bloody fight, run a race, etc.

3. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun (derived from verb)

I often take a hot bath in the evening. The earthquake has caused great damage and loss of life.

The climbers had several rests on their way up the hill.

The verbs with this pattern：do, have, give, make, take, etc.

The most commonly used nouns derived from verb are: bath, breath, cry, damage, drive, effort, glance, look, nap, progress, rest, ride, share, smoke, stroll, talk, telephone call, try, walk, work, etc.

4. Subject ＋ have (got) + Noun + inf. (phrase)

Our dean will have an important meeting to attend next week. The nurse has got five children to look after.

The manager has a few official letters to be typed out.

5. Subject + Intransitive Verb + Preposition + Noun / Pronoun

The town relied on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs. We must stick to the principle through thick and thin.

The lawyer will look into the matter right away.

6. Subject + Intransitive Verb + of + Noun / Pronoun

Her parents did not approve of their marriage. Lately he has been complaining of insomnia and headache.

The small village boast of an ancient church.

We have some other such usages：admit of, dream of, judge of ,know of, read of, repent of, speak of, talk of, tell of, think of, write of, etc.

7. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun + Preposition + Noun / Pronoun

Most students take an active part in sports. I'll pay a visit to an old friend of mine before I leave.

We lost sight of him in the crowd.

8. Subject + Transitive Verb + Adverb + Noun

The operator didn't put through the passenger. When Mr Green retired his son took over the business from him.

The university has turned out some first-rate scholars.

9. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / pronoun + Adverb

Let's take our raincoats off since it has stopped raining. If I get any further information, I will ring you up.

　　This pattern is derived from the former. More verbs are：give up, lay down, make up, take in, take up, set up, etc.

Note: When the object is a pronoun, the adverb is generally placed after the object：Please take them down.

10. Subject + Intransitive Verb + Adverb + Preposition + Noun / Pronoun

They have been looking forward to increasing trade between the two countries.

Is your salary keeping up with inflation? The law did away with slavery.

11. Subject + Transitive Verb + inf. (phrase)

From then on they began to take study more seriously. Would you care to go for a walk? They pretended not to see us.

Some common verbs using this pattern are: begin, cease, commence, continue, dare, decide, expect, forget, have, hope, intend, learn, like, love, mean, need, offer, ought, prefer, pretend, promise, refuse, remember, start, swear, try, want, wish.

12. Subject + Transitive Verb + Wh-word + inf. (phrase)

We haven't decided whether to buy it or not. The little boy didn't know how to use the English word yet.

She was wondering which to buy.

The usual verbs taking this pattern are: ask, consider, decide, discover, enquire, explain, find out, forget, guess, know, learn, remember, see, settle, tell (=know), understand, wonder.

13. Subject + Transitive Verb + -ing participle

People prefer staying indoors on cold winter evenings. She is timid and always avoids being asked by the teacher.

14. Subject + need / require / stand, etc. + -ing participle

The old-classroom needs white washing. These cheap novels cannot stand re-reading.

15. Subject ＋ do + -ing participle

The young couple do a lot of sightseeing every spring. Mother does the cooking and washing in the house.

Foreign language students do much translating every week.

16. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + -ing participle (phrase)

I don't like young people behaving like that. Do you remember Jesse's coming to see you?

She can't bear that friend of mine always making fun of her.

17. Subject + Transitive Verb + Clause

Can you suggest where these books ought to be put?

I am considering who should be assigned to do the work.

The weather broadcast said that weather would get fine in the coming few days.

18. Subject + Transitive Verb + (that) Noun Clause

He said that they would come and see us.

He intended that his son should inherit the business.

I expect that you are surprised at the news.

Usual verbs: acknowledge, admit, arrange, believe, can’t bear, confess, don’t care, declare, demand, deny, expect, explain, feat, hear, hope, imagine, intend, know, notice, propose, recommend, say, see, show, suggest, suppose, think, understand, wonder.

IV. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

1. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Noun

Please bring me the journal next time you come.

The sun sends us light and heat.

My sister made her boy friend a shirt last summer.

Mother cooked us a very rich dinner last Sunday.

The most usual verbs with this pattern are: ask, bring, buy, cause, deny, do, envy, find, get, give, hand, leave, lend, make, order, owe, pass, pay, read, sell, send, show, spell, tell, throw, wish, write.

2. Subject + Transitive Verb + Direct Object + Preposition + Prepositional Object

I gave it to him.

Please explain this to me.

I will do the work for you.

Excuse me for interrupting you.

Tell me about your work.

He threw a book at me.

Compare your work with Henry’s.

Some of the more common verbs with this patter are:

(a) with to: award, add, bring, carry, compare, deny, fasten, fetch, give, hand, join, move, offer, owe, pass, pay, promise, read, refuse, sell, send, show, take, teach, tell, tie, write.

(b) With for: bring, buy, choose, cook, do, fetch, forgive, get, leave, make, order, play, praise, punish, reach, save, write.

(c) With about: ask, consult, question, re-assure, remind, tell, trouble, warn, worry, write.

(d) With of: accuse, acquit, assure, clear, convince, deprive, ease, inform, persuade, relieve, remind, rid, rob, strip, suspect, tell.

(e) With at: aim, hurl, point, shoot, throw.

(f) With on: answer, make, read, spend, waste, write.

(g) With with: compare, fill, mix, provide, supply.

3. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Clause

This book will show us how science has developed.

Would you please tell me which is the shortest way to the post office?

A year's study has taught the students that they cannot master English without watching out for idiomatic usage.

4. Subject + Transitive Verb + Preposition + Noun / Pronoun + clause

Some of the businessmen complained to the manufacturers that their packing needs improving.

The criminal confessed to the priest when and how he had murdered the widow.

I heard from Mr Johnson that the next flower show will be held sometime in May.

The manager agreed with us that our price was most competitive.

5. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Wh-word + inf. (Phrase)

We'd better ask the teacher whether to go on or to stop here.

Our teacher will teach us how to write a business letter.

V. Subject + Verb + Object + Object Complement

1. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Noun

They made Newton President of the Royal Society.

They appointed her head of English Department.

We found the place a very good summer resort.

The nouns used in this pattern：appoint, baptize, call, choose, christen, consider, crown, elect, entitle, find, make, name, nominate, proclaim, term, etc.

2. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + as-phrase

Scientists use weight as a way of measuring mass.

We usually take the earth's crust as firm and unmoving.

The government considers the labour problem as solved.

The verbs used in this pattern：accept, advance, choose, consider, class, define, describe, elect, hire, imagine, intend, know, recognize, regard, report, see, take, treat, use , etc.

3. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Adjective

Pupils found this English poem interesting.

The sun keeps the earth warm in winter.

The cold wind has turned all the leaves yellow.

The verbs used in this pattern：bake, bend, boil, break, burn, burst, colour, cut, crush, drive, dye, fill, find, get, have, heat, hold, keep, lay, leave, let, make, pack, paint, prove, pull, push, see, set, sleep, strike, turn, wash, wipe, wish, etc.

4. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Adverb

The mother often watches the children away.

Jane didn't find her sister in when she called on her.

The sick are usually kept indoor.

5. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Prepositional Phrase

People considered the manufacturing process of great value at that time.

Did you see all the students in high spirits then?

News of victory set all of us at ease.

Some other set phrases like this：in check, in custody, in hospital, in mind, on fire, on strike, out of work, under arrest, under construction, etc.

6. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun +（to be）+ Adjective (Complement)

We consider it (to be) absolutely necessary.

Dick's teacher thinks Dick (to be) the cleverest in the class.

I guess you to be about twenty.

They reported the enemy troops to be fifty miles away.

　　‘to be’ in this pattern is often omitted after such verbs as: believe, choose, confess, consider, declare, elect, find, imagine, prefer, presume, prove, think.

But ‘to be’ in this pattern cannot be omitted after such verbs as: claim, discover, fancy, feel, guess, judge, know, like, observe, report, see, show, suppose, suspect, take, understand, want.

7. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + inf.(phrase)

The doctor advised me to have a good rest.

I must warn you not to drive left in this country.

I made him come.

I heard him shout.

The verbs with this pattern with ‘to’ are chiefly: advise, allow, ask, can’t bear, beg, cause, choose, dare (=challenge), encourage, expect, force, get, hate, help, intend, invite, leave, like, love, mean (=intend), order, permit, persuade, prefer, remind, teach, tell, tempt, urge, want, warn, wich.

The verbs with this pattern without ‘to’ are chiefly: bid, feel, have, gear, know, let, make, need, notice, see, watch.

8. Subject + Intransitive Verb + Preposition + Noun / Pronoun + inf.(phrase)

Mr Strong has sent for a doctor to examine the patient.

The new comers looked upon themselves to be fully settled.

Professor Smith asked for a young man to assist in his research work.

The commonest verbs together with ‘for’ are：apply, arrange, ask, call, long, mean, need, plan, pray, prepare, provide, ring, send, telephone, vote, wait, want, etc.

9. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + -ing participle(phrase)

I smelt something burning in the kitchen.

Many people watched the pickpocket being taken into the police office.

He kept me waiting.

Usual verbs: catch, feel, find, hear, imagine, keep, leave, listen to, look at, notice, see, set, smell, start, watch.

10. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + -ed participle (phrase)

Please have your blood tested in the next room.

Where did you have the papers printed?

I had a tooth filled yesterday afternoon.

　　Beside ‘have’ or ‘get’, such verbs as ‘feel, find, hear, like, make, need, prefer, see, want, wish’ can be used with this pattern.

11. Subject + Transitive Verb + Noun / Pronoun + Clause

I told him that he must work hard.

He warned us that the road was a bad one.

That experienced him that honesty is the best policy.

I’ll remind you what I want you to do.

Will you please inform us whose statue that is?

Usual verbs; convince, inform, remind, satisfy, teach, tell, warn.