Sentence Patterns

SENTENCE PATTERNS: SAMPLES

1. S--Vi--(Adv.) (Subject--Intransitive Verb--Adverb, usually optional)

The man coughed (loudly).
The audience laughed.
The guest has arrived.
The children walked down the street.
The waiter hurried away from the door.

Note: An intransitive verb is an action verb that does not require a direct object or a complement to complete its meaning. The word "intransitive" literally means "does not carry across." Therefore, the action of the verb does not transfer to an object, that is, a person or thing that receives the action of the verb. Often, adverbs or adverb phrases will appear in these sentences to expand the basic meaning of the verb.

Note: Some intransitive verbs can take a direct object in a different sentence. Usually the meaning of the verb changes in a sentence requiring a direct object. Here is an example:

He runs every morning. (intransitive verb)
He runs a successful business. (transitive verb)

SENTENCE PATTERNS: SAMPLES

2. Transitive Verb Patterns (Active Voice)

A. S--Vtr--DO (Subject + Transitive Verb + Direct Object)

The dog catches the ball.
The baby likes bananas.
Dogs chase cats.
That man teaches English.
The scientist performed an experiment.

Note: Some verbs require an adverb with this pattern. S--Vtr--DO--Adv. (Subject + Transitive Verb + Direct Object + Adverb)

The guard put the key in the door.
The police treated the old man politely.

B. S--Vtr--IO--DO (Subject + Transitive Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object)

Tom wrote his mother a letter.
Mr. Smith teaches the students English.
The dog gives the man the newspaper.
The shopper gave the clerk ten dollars.
Pearl sent Tom a book.

C. S--Vtr--DO--OC (Subject + Transitive Verb + Direct Object + Object Complement)

He called the teacher a genius.
Teaching English is driving Shelley bananas.
The class elected Jerry president.
Studying keeps him busy.
The lawyer considered the