BUT, these other uses are also correct, though they may not be the best: When modifying a verb, an adverb should generally go right after the word it modifies, as in the first sentence below. INCORRECT misplaced adverbĪs 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. CORRECT adverb modifies “hungry”Įxtremely, the dog was hungry. In general, when modifying an adjective or adverb, an adverb should go before the word it modifies: So, there are rules about their placement, but also many exceptions. But, adverbs are special because they can usually be placed in more than one spot in the sentence and are still correct. As a rule, an adverb (or any modifier) should be as close as possible to the thing it is modifying. I will go home in the morning.Īdverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, adding things like time, manner, degree and often end in ly, like “slowly,” “recently,” “nearly,” and so on. Other prepositional phrases, determining time and location, can go at either the beginning or the end of a sentence: 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: Prepositional phrases also have special positions in sentences. This sentence has “I” (subject) “fed” (verb) “dog” (indirect object) “popcorn” (direct object). Indirect objects always come between the verb and the object, following the pattern SVIO, like this: When we add an indirect object, a sentence will follow a slightly different 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. Here are some examples:Ĭan he cook? “Can” (auxiliary) “he” (subject) “cook” (verb)ĭoes your dog like popcorn? “Does” (A) “your dog” (S) “like” (V) “popcorn” (O)Īre you burning the popcorn? “Are” (A) “you” (S) “burning” (V) “popcorn” (O) Here’s a chart to help you:Īs said, questions follow the form ASV or, if they have an object, ASVO. 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. When asking a question, we follow the order auxiliary verb/modal auxiliary + subject + verb (ASV). Otherwise, a sentence doesn’t make sense, like this:Įats popcorn the dog. Then, the verb comes after the subject, and the object comes after the verb and that’s the most common word order.

The subject comes first in a sentence because it makes our meaning clear when writing and speaking. The dog (subject) + eats (verb) + popcorn (object). Remember, the subject is what a sentence is about so, it comes first. Standard Word OrderĪ sentence’s standard word order is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). In English, we follow one main pattern for normal sentences and one main pattern for sentences that ask a question. When words are out of order, they stand out, and usually change the meaning of a sentence or make it hard to understand. INCORRECTĪs you can see, it’s usually easy to see whether or not your words are in the correct order.

CORRECTĢ brothers and 2 sisters have I at home. Here are some examples of words put into the correct and incorrect 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.

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