Sentence Patterns

Sentence patterns refer to the predictable arrangements of words that create grammatically
correct and meaningful sentences (Larson ,2011). They act as blueprints, outlining the different
parts of speech come together to convey a complete thought.
Sentence Patterns are the building blocks of grammatically correct sentence, formed by
combining phrases and clauses, (Eastern Washington University, n.d).
There five basic sentence patterns in English. Among them are:
1. Subject +Linking Verb + Complement (S-LV-C)
2. Subject+ Intransitive Verb (S -IV)
3. Subject + Transitive Verb +Direct Object (S -TV -DO)
4. Subject +Transitive Verb +Indirect Object +Direct Object (S -TV -IO -DO)
5. Subject +Transitive Verb +Direct Object +Object Complement (S -TV -DO -OC)
1. The Subject +Linking Verb+ Complement Pattern (S-LV-C)
S-LV-C is the first basic sentence pattern in English. This includes a subject, a linking verb, and
a complement. Linking verbs includes; be, me, are, is, was, were, and seem, (Larson, 2021).
Example:
Danny looks sad. The pie tastes bad.
S: Danny S: The pie
LV: looks LV: tastes
C: sad C: bad

2. The Subject +Intransitive Verb Pattern (S-IV)

The S-IV Pattern is the simplest type, it includes just a subject and an intransitive verb.
Intransitive verbs do not need direct object. Intransitive Verbs do not answer the question
“what”. This pattern uses verbs that are base form and doesn’t need supporting information,
(Larson,2021).
Example:
 Eric swims.
  Peter sneezed.

3. The Subject + Transitive Verb + Direct Object Pattern (S-TV-DO)

This pattern includes a subject, a transitive verb, and a direct object. The trick here is to make
sure our verb answers the question “what”. Additionally, the pattern uses a verb that is in the “S
form”, (Larson,2021).
Example: She teaches ballet.
They are baking cakes and cookies. S: She
S: They TV: teaches
TV: are baking DO: ballet
DO: cakes and cookies

4. The Subject + Transitive Verb + Intransitive Verb + Direct Object Pattern (S-TV-IO-DO)
This sentence pattern is used when a transitive verb (action verb needs a receiver) has both a
direct object (what receives the action) and an indirect object (who or what benefits from the
action). The indirect object answers the question “to whom” or “for whom” the action of the verb
is done, (Quirk, R.1985).
Example:
Mary taught her the answer. Lexy gave her the money.
S: Mary S: Lexy
TV: taught TV: gave
IO: her IO: her
DO: the answer DO: the money
5. The Subject +Transitive Verb +Direct Object + Object Complement(S-TV-DO-OC)
This sentence pattern, as described by Swan (2009), it involves a subject performing a transitive
verb on a direct object, followed by an objective complement that clarifies the state or condition
of the object after the verb’s action. The object complement in this sentence pattern refers to a
specific description of the direct object being done by the subject, with the use of verb. The OC
could be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Example: They painted the wall pink.

S: They
TV: painted
DO: the wall
OC: pink

Activity 1
Direction: Identify pattern of the following sentences. Encircle the correct answer.
A.)
1. The cat is sleeping peacefully.
a. S-IV
b. S-LV-C
c. S-TV-DO
2. He painter the wall blue.
a. S-IV
b. S-TV-DO
c. S-LV-C
3. They are playing football in the park.
a. S-IV
b. S-LV-C
c. S-TV-IO-DO
4. She gave her sister a present.
a. S-TV-DO
b. S-TV-DO-OC
c. S-TV-IO-DO
5. She walks.
a. S-IV
b. S-LV-C
c. S-TV-DO

Direction: Arrange the jumbled words in the sentence and identify the pattern used in the
sentence.
B.)
1. ( in park the children happily the play )
_____________________________________
Sentence Pattern: __________________________

2. (reads she book a night every)

____________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ___________________________

3. (magician the performed an trick in the show incredible)

______________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ____________________________

4. (cat sleeping is on bed the the peacefully)

______________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ____________________________
5. (sent Mary letter a he week last)
________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ______________________

6. (handed they manager document the to the)

_____________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ___________________________

7. (new bought car he from leadership the a)

____________________________________
Sentence Pattern: __________________________

8. (gave she gift a his on birthday him)

__________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ________________________

9. (chef delicious cooked a the guests the for meal)

____________________________________
Sentence Pattern: ___________________________

10. (fast he runs)

___________________
Sentence Pattern: ______________

Direction: The following are sentences, determine the pattern by underlining the correct chuchu
in the sentence.
C.)
1. The leaves fall.
2. The sky looks clear after the rain.
3. The flowers bloom beautifully in the garden.
4. Lina bought a new phone.
5. He showed his friend the new painting.

ANSWER KEY
A.
1.B. S-LV-C
2..B. S-TV-DO
3.A. S-IV
4.C. S-TV-IO-DO
5.A. S-IV

B.
1.The children play happily in the park
Sentence Pattern: S-IV
2.She reads a book every night.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-DO
3.The magician performed an incredible trick in the show.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-DO
4.The cat is sleeping peacefully on the bed.
Sentence Pattern: S-LV-C
5.He sent Mary a letter last week.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-IO-DO
6.They handed the document to the manager.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-DO-IO
7.He bought a new car form the dealership.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-DO
8.She gave him a gift on his birthday.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-IO-DO
9.The chef cooked a delicious meal for the guests.
Sentence Pattern: S-TV-DO
10.He runs fast.
Sentence Pattern: S-IV

C.
1. S-TV-DO
2. S-LV-C
3. S-IV
4. S-TV-DO
5. S-TV-IO-DO

Reference
5 Basic sentence patterns in English: rules and structures you must know. (2021b, April 21).

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Research guides: Grammar, punctuation, and sentences: Sentence patterns. Sentence Patterns -

Grammar, Punctuation, and Sentences - Research Guides at Eastern Washington

 University. (n.d.). https://research.ewu.edu/writers_c_grammar_basics/sent_pat

Human verification. (n.d.-b).

https://elt.oup.com/catalogue/items/global/grammar_vocabulary/practical_english_usage

_4th_edition/?cc=ph&selLanguage=en

Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage, third edition: Hardback. Oxford University Press.

Larson, R. L. (2011). Essential principles of grammar. Wadsworth Publishing Co Inc.

Algeo, J. (1987). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. By Randolph Quirk,

Sidney Greenbaum, Geoffrey Leech, and Jan Svartvik. London: Longman. 1985. x +

1779. Journal of English Linguistics, 20(1), 122-136.

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