ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.

com/

Teaching Sentence Patterns:

Why theyre needed
Oftentimes, when being asked by students, How can I improve my English performance [grammarwise]?, I tend to be very recurrent in my answer: Your sentence structures are very inconsistent at times. Why? Because you are using your native language sentence structures with English words. The language transfer of mother tongue structures is a common practice when learning a foreign language. And this can stop by having students stick to the seven sentence patterns English possesses. It is possible that some sentence patterns in both languages (mother tongue and target language) overlap, but students are bound to make mistakes in the seven patterns do not operate properly in their speech production. To better speak, write, read, and listen, the learning of the seven sentence patterns is a must.

ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.com/

Sentence Pattern #1: N+V(+Adv)

The understanding of how adverbials can be added to the root structure will definitely help students write and speak much accurately. I I I I I jog. jog in jog in jog in jog in

the the the the

park. park every morning. park quickly every morning. park quickly every morning to stay fit.

Place Place + Time Place + Manner + Time Place + Manner + Time + Reason

Sentence Pattern #2: N+V+N

Comprehending why nouns can take a DO (direct object) position in a sentence is also crucial for a better use of the fours skills. Take a look at the following sample sentences. N (subject) Our municipality China and India The audience Toyota Andre Vermulen Verbal Form is (now) building export didnt like will launch presented N (DO) new sidewalks around the community many kinds of tea. the presentation. a new car model next year. an interesting topic (on our last teachers conference).

ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.com/

Sentence Pattern #3: N+LV+N

In this third pattern, the learner must comprehend that the linking verb establishes a relationship between two nominal (head nouns). This is done so to build a connection between the two nouns that refer to the same place, object, or person. The second noun in the structure becomes a subject complement (SC). N Alice I The National Theater Willy Linking Verb is want to become has remained will (eventually) be Become N (SC) a wonderful nurse. a Hebrew teacher. an architectural jewel. a psychologist. a professional.

Sentence Pattern #4: N+LV+Adj

In this fourth pattern, the adjective or adjectival at the end of the structure serves as a subject complement, too. This adjectival modifies the head noun in subject position. N It The soup The tramp The guests That bug Linking Verb feels tasted grew appear looks N (SC) silky. good. tired of walking. happy (at the party). big.

ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.com/

Sentence Pattern #5: N+V+N+N

Not all languages place indirect objects (IO) in the same way. Heres an important to understand how this sequence of IO and DO go in the English sentence to avoid mistakes. In addition, comprehending the structure transformation in English can allow students understand and use the language better. V N(IO) N(DO) brought his mother a nice gift. Transformation: Tan brought a nice gift for his mother. I will send you the data. Transformation: I will send the data to you. Luis (always) buys his kids pastries. Transformation: Luis always buys pastries for his kids. The teacher assigned her students homework. Transformation: The teacher assigned homework for her students. Chris owes me a big favor. Transformation: Chris owes a big favor to me. Beware: CORRECT: Yesterday, our professor explained the sentence patterns to us. WRONG: Yesterday, our professor explained us the sentence patterns. N Tan

Sentence Pattern #6: N+V+Nx(DO)+Nx(OC)

Fully comprehending this pattern can facilitate learners to phrase and voice opinions correctly. Needless to mention that this structure is used for more than opinions since both nouns (DO and OC) refer to the same person, animal, object, or place.

ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.com/

N The president The audience FARC The parents The class

V will appoint consider kept christen have labeled

Nx (DO) Taylor the lecturer the journalists their baby Nils

Nx (OC) ambassador. a bore. prisoners (for a year).

Casimiro
a hero.

Sentence Pattern #7: N+V+N(DO)+Adj(OC)

This other sentence structure is also useful to phrase and voice opinions. However, the important feature of this pattern is that the adjective modifies the direct object, providing a quality to this noun. N The rough sea Mom I Lucas Dad V made slammed prefer considers washed Nx (DO) the women the door my beef Uma the walls Nx (OC) seasick. closed. rare. intelligent. clean.

The difference in word order in sentence structures or patterns is a key component in language learning. We, no doubt, can find similarities and differences in the way we phrase and voice thoughts and emotions. But what remains wrong is the transfer of sentence patterns from ones mother tongue into English. Learning the patterns guarantees not only being understood better but also comprehending others more accurately. The proper use of these seven patterns will assist learners in their reading, writing, speaking, and listening at a higher level making their learning easy and meaningful.

ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.com/

To fully develop and comprehend this teaching issue, its advisable to research and expand these areas: 1 2 3 4 5 Practices for sentence patterns Sentence Patterns in ELT Grammar Teaching and the 7 Sentence Patterns Communicative Use of Sentence Patterns Sentence Patterns in Writing and Speaking Lessons

Professor Jonathan Acua-Solano ELT Instructor & Trainer based in Costa Rica Curricular Developer at CCCN Senior ELT Professor at Universidad Latina Freelance ELT Consultant four OUP in Central America For further comments or suggestions, reach me at: @jonacuso Twitter jonacuso@gmail.com Gmail

ELT article published by Prof. Jonathan Acua at http://reflective-online-teaching.blogspot.com/

Other blogs and sites I often write for my students at the university are: 1. http://bin-02.blogspot.com/ 3. http://bin-06.blogspot.com/ 2. http://bin-04.blogspot.com/ 4. Computering Applications in Education

Flores Mora, B. et al (2002) Basis English Syntax. San Jos: Editorial de la Unversidad de Costa Rica

Also available at google scholar. Click here. http://books.google.co.cr/books?id=6OtAlw6wvCoC&printsec=fr ontcover&hl=es&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepag e&q&f=false