Basic Grammar Step by Step Second Edition

Mary W. Ng

Chapter 64

Sentence Patterns

The subject, the verb (action or linking), the direct object, the indirect object, the subject complement, the object complement and the adverbial modifier are called the elements of a sentence.

We can classify sentences by their patterns. Different sentence patterns contain different sentence elements.

64.1 Sentence Pattern 1

A Pattern 1 sentence contains just a subject and an action verb.

SubjectAction Verb
Weswim.
The babyslept.

A Pattern 1 sentence may also contain an adverbial modifier.

SubjectAction VerbAdverbial Modifier
Weswimin the sea.
The babysleptsoundly.

Exercise Pick out the subject (S), action verb (AV) and any adverbial modifier (AM) in the following sentences.

Example:He sledded down the hill.
Answer:He (S) sledded (AV) down the hill (AM)
  1. Linda smiled.
  2. We sang in the concert.
  3. Tom wrote on the blackboard.
  4. Sue dances beautifully.
  5. The wind blew hard.
  6. They left in a hurry.
  7. The train has arrived.
  8. Apple trees bloom in spring.
  9. Dennis and David work at the restaurant.
  10. I was reading when the building shook.
  11. Some bears hibernate in winter.
  12. The children hid in the closet.
  13. The festival lasted two weeks.
  14. They will return tonight.
  15. She flew to Athens.

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