For the beginning, remember this simple rule:

subject verb(s) object

I speak English
I can speak English

Word Order in Positive Sentences:

Arrange the words to make affirmative sentences.

1. like / I / you I like you
2. French / I / speak ______________________________________
3. hates / pigeons / he ______________________________________
4. they / song / a / sing ______________________________________
5. sell / flowers / we ______________________________________
6. you / see / me / can ______________________________________
7. buy / milk / he / wants to __________________________________
8. feed / you / my / cat / can _________________________________
9. sister / has / my / got / a dog _______________________________
10. must / the book / read / you ________________________________
If you are a more advanced learner, remember the following rule:

subject verb(s) indirect object direct object place time

I will tell you the story at school tomorrow.
Word Order in Positive Sentences 2

Arrange the words to make affirmative sentences. Place time expressions at the
end of the sentences.

1. go / now / home / will / I I will go home now.

2. give / the present / tomorrow / we / him / will
___________________________________________________________
3. her / met / last night / at / we / the station
___________________________________________________________
4. was / last week / he / in hospital
___________________________________________________________
5. in Greece / spend / I / will / next year / my holiday
___________________________________________________________
6. must / at five o'clock / leave / we / the house

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 ___________________________________________________________

7. the library / take / I / the book / will / today / to

___________________________________________________________
8. my mum / breakfast / in the morning / made
___________________________________________________________
9. tonight / want / to the cinema / to go / we
___________________________________________________________
10. wrote / last week / they / at school / a test
___________________________________________________________
Word Order in Negative Sentences

The word order in negative sentences is the same as in affirmative sentences.

Note, however, that in negative sentences we usually need a helping verb:

subject verbs indirect object direct object place time

I will not tell you the story at school tomorrow.

Word Order in Negative Sentences

Arrange the words to make negative sentences. Place time expressions at the end
of the sentences.

1. our holiday / will / at home / we / not / spend / next year

We will not spend our holiday at home next year.
2. did / I / him / see / not / last night / at the disco
_______________________________________________________
3. to a party / not / we / tonight / going / are
_______________________________________________________
4. will / a letter / not / next week / send / you / she
_______________________________________________________
5. not / the truth / did / he / tell / you
_______________________________________________________
6. to the cinema / we / want / not / do / tonight / to go
_______________________________________________________
7. play / in the bar / did / he / last week / not / the piano
_______________________________________________________
8. not / now / she / in England / is
_______________________________________________________
9. eat / in winter / ice-cream / do / not / I
_______________________________________________________
10. right now / have / not / we / time / do

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 ___________________________________________________________

Position of Time Expressions

(e.g.: recently, now, then, yesterday)

Adverbs of time are usually put at the end of the sentence.

subject verb(s) indirect object direct object time

I will tell you the story tomorrow.

If you don't want to put emphasis on the time, you can also put the adverb of time at the beginning of the sentence.

time subject verb(s) indirect object direct object

Tomorrow I will tell you the story.

Note that some time expressions are adverbs of frequency (always, never, usually
usw.). These are usually put before the main verb (except for 'be' as a main verb).
(see also Position of Adverbs)

subject auxiliary/be adverb main verb object, place or time

I often go swimming in the evenings.

He doesn't always play tennis.

We are usually here in summer.

I have never been abroad

Position of Time Expressions

Tick (V) the correct sentence. Decide where the time expressions are used
correctly.

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1. We went to the cinema yesterday.
We went yesterday to the cinema.
Both sentences are correct.

2. We often go to the cinema.

We go often to the cinema.
Both sentences are correct.

3. Next Tuesday I will go to the cinema.

I will go to the cinema next Tuesday.
Both sentences are correct.

4. They never go to the cinema.

They go to the cinema never.
Both sentences are correct.

5. She goes every Sunday to the cinema.

She goes to the cinema every Sunday.
Both sentences are correct.

6. I seldom am at the cinema.

I am seldom at the cinema.
Both sentences are correct.

7. I don't go to the cinema every week.

I don't go every week to the cinema.
Both sentences are correct.

8. Francis does not always go to the cinema.

Francis does not go to the cinema always.
Both sentences are correct.

Word Order in Questions

In questions, the word order subject-verbs-object is the same as in affirmative
sentences. The only thing thats different is that you usually have to put the helping verb
(or the main verb be) before the subject. Interrogatives are put at the beginning of the sentences:

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 question helping other indirect direct
subject place time
word verb verb(s) object object
What would you like to tell me
Did you have a party in your yesterday?
flat
When were you here?

Exercises on English Word Order- Questions

* Arrange the words to make questions:
1. do / a dog / you / have Do you have a dog?
2. you / coffee / do / like ____________________________________
3. speak/ she / English / does _________________________________
4. he / can / dance - __________________________________________
5. play / at / you / the weekends / do / tennis _____________________
____________________________________
6. go / last night / out / you / did ______________________________
7. the train / when / leave / does ______________________________
8. him / she / did / the truth / tell / why ________________________
9. on / they / holiday / are ___________________________________
10. she / Australia / from / is _________________________________

Exercise on Questions (Present Simple)

Arrange the words below to make questions.
1. she / to collect / stickers Does she collect stickers?
2. they / to play / a game - ______________________________________
3. the cat / to sleep / in the cat's bed - ____________________________
4. she / often / to dream - ______________________________________
5. he / to play / streetball - _____________________________________
6. you / to be / from Paris - _____________________________________
7. the pupils / to wear / school uniforms - ___________________________
8. you / to go / to the cinema - ___________________________________
9. she / to have / friends - ______________________________________
10. he / to read / books - ________________________________________

Exercise on questions (Present Progressive)

Write questions with the words below.
1. Peter / to go / to the cinema Is Peter going to the cinema?
2. they / to play / a game - ______________________________________
3. she / to listen /to the radio - ___________________________________

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4. I / to dream - ______________________________________________
5. they / to pack / their bags - ___________________________________
6. you / to do / the washing-up - __________________________________
7. we / to talk / too fast - _______________________________________
8. they / to clean / the windows - _________________________________
9. she / to watch / the news - ____________________________________
10. you / to pull / my leg - ________________________________________

Exercise on questions (Past Simple)

Write questions in simple past.
1. Anna / the window / open Did Anna open the window?
2. she / home / walk _________________________________________
3. you / in the garden / work ___________________________________
4. you / a song / sing _________________________________________
5. she / on a chair / sit _______________________________________
6. you / the castle / visit ______________________________________
7. Jenny / the door / lock ______________________________________
8. she / happy / be ___________________________________________
9. Greg / the ball / kick _______________________________________
10. the car / at the corner / stop _________________________________

You dont use a helping verb if you ask for the subject. In this case the interrogative simply takes the place
of the subject.
Wh- word verb(s) object
Who asked you?
Questions
Ask for the subject (in bold print). Use 'who' (for people) or 'what' (for everything
else).
1. Gareth speaks English. ____________________________________
2. Mandy plays the guitar. ____________________________________
3. John is from Australia. ____________________________________
4. Our room is on the second floor. _____________________________
5. You will meet them next week. _______________________________
6. My bike is blue. __________________________________________
7. The show started early. ____________________________________
8. My computer doesn't work. __________________________________
9. Her brother went to Canada last year. _________________________
10. Your friends don't like pizza. ________________________________

Exercise on questions with question words (Present Simple):

Ask for the bold part of the sentence.

1. Julia likes pop-music. - _______________________________________

2. Maria comes from Spain. - _____________________________________
3. They play in the garden. - _____________________________________
4. Rick rides his bike. - _________________________________________

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5. I go to the cinema on Saturdays. - _______________________________
6. We go to Mallorca because it is warm there.. -
_____________________________________________________________
7. Joe repairs his bike. - ________________________________________
8. Robin drives his car carefully. - _________________________________
9. Peter runs with his dog every day. -
_____________________________________________________________
10. Eric goes to Italy for a holiday. -
_____________________________________________________________

Exercise on questions with question words (Present Progressive):

Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.
1. Ashley is going to a restaurant. Where is Ashley going?
2. Gareth is reading the paper. - _________________________________
3. Stacey is playing in the garden. - _______________________________
4. She is wearing a red dress. - ___________________________________
5. Britney is doing her homework. - ________________________________
6. Mandy is leaving at nine. - _____________________________________
7. Joe is repairing his bike. - _____________________________________
8. Amanda is going out with Dan. - _________________________________
9. They are meeting at two o'clock. - ______________________________
10. Sandy is looking for Phil. - ____________________________________
Exercise on questions with question words (Past Simple):

Ask for the bold part of the sentence.

1. She pushed her bike. _____________________________________
2. She carried a bag. _______________________________________
3. We waited in the park. ____________________________________
4. The policeman arrested the thief. ____________________________
5. We ate fish. ____________________________________________
6. She watched the match last night. ___________________________
7. She asked her friend because she did not know what to do.
____________________________________________________________
8. I opened the door. _______________________________________
9. The teacher checked our homework. __________________________
10. Cindy had a dog. _________________________________________

Position of Adverbs
* Adverb of Manner
(e.g.: slowly, carefully, awfully)
These adverbs are put behind the direct object (or behind the verb if there's no direct object).
subject verb(s) direct object adverb
He drove the car carefully.

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 He drove carefully.

Exercises on English Word Order

Adverbs of Manner
Rewrite the sentences and put the adverbs in correctly.
1. She speaks. (slowly) She speaks slowly.
2. They sang. (wonderfully) ____________________________________
3. He treated her. (respectfully) ________________________________
4. John speaks English. (well) ___________________________________
5. The dog barks. (loudly) _____________________________________
6. My sister plays the piano. (awfully) ____________________________
7. She met him. (secretly) ____________________________________
8. The children laughed. (happily) _______________________________
9. She hurt her leg. (badly) ___________________________________
10. They sneaked out of the house (quietly). ________________________

Adverbs of Place

(e.g.: here, there, behind, above)

Like adverbs of manner, these adverbs are put behind the direct object or the verb.
subject verb(s) direct object adverb
I didn't see him here.
He stayed behind.

Adverbs of Place
Make sentences and put the adverbs (in italic print) in correctly (behind the verb
or object).
1. is / over there / the cinema The cinema is over there.
2. inside / go / let's - _________________________________________
3. the kitchen / downstairs / is - _________________________________
4. playing / the kids / are / outside - ______________________________
5. she / not / been / here / has - _________________________________
6. the bathroom / is / upstairs - __________________________________
7. were / everywhere / we / for / looking / you -
_____________________________________________________________
8. we / anywhere / you / find / couldn't -
_____________________________________________________________
9. ? / there / a post office / nearby / is -
_____________________________________________________________
10. must / we / walk / back home - _________________________________

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 Adverbs of Time

(e.g.: recently, now, then, yesterday)

Adverbs of time are usually put at the end of the sentence.
subject verb(s) indirect object direct object time
I will tell you the story tomorrow.
If you don't want to put emphasis on the time, you can also put the adverb of time at the beginning of the sentence.
time subject verb(s) indirect object direct object
Tomorrow I will tell you the story.
Adverbs of Time

Arrange the words to make sentences. Place time expressions at the end of the
sentence.

1. haven't / recently / seen / I / him - ______________________________

2. I'll / you / see / soon - _______________________________________
3. afterwards / met / at the pub / him / we -
_____________________________________________________________
4. help / immediately / I / need - __________________________________
5. was / arrogant / he / then / very - _______________________________
6. ? / now / are / where / you - ___________________________________
7. ? / to go / where / you / do / want / today -
_____________________________________________________________
8. ? / do / yesterday / did / you / what
___________________________________________________________
9. as soon as possible / you / him / the truth / tell / should -
____________________________________________________________
10. hasn't won / lately / my team - _________________________________

Adverbs of Frequency

(e.g.: always, never, seldom, usually)

Adverbs of frequency are put directly before the main verb. If 'be' is the main
verb and there is no auxiliary verb, adverbs of frequency are put behind 'be'. Is
there an auxiliary verb, however, adverbs of frequency are put before 'be'.

subject auxiliary/be adverb main verb object, place or time

I often go swimming in the evenings.
He doesn't always play tennis.

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 We are usually here in summer.
I have never been abroad.
Adverbs of Frequency

Rewrite the sentences and put the adverbs in correctly.

1. I have been to London. (often) I have often been to London.
2. Have you been to Boston? (ever) ______________________________
3. He plays golf on Sundays. (sometimes) __________________________
4. The weather is bad in November. (always)
_____________________________________________________________
5. It rains in California. (never) _________________________________
6. We have fish for dinner. (seldom)
_____________________________________________________________
7. She will see him. (rarely) ____________________________________
8. Peter doesn't get up before seven. (usually)
_____________________________________________________________
9. They do not play tennis on Sundays. (always)
_____________________________________________________________
10. Mary watches TV. (hardly / ever)
_____________________________________________________________
Adverbs Mix
Rewrite the sentences and put the adverbs in correctly.
1. We were in London. (last week) We were in London last week.
2. He walks his dog. (rarely) ____________________________________
3. She waited. (patiently) _____________________________________
4. My father goes fishing. (always)
_______________________________
5. Your bedroom is. (upstairs) __________________________________
6. We don't go skiing. (in summer) _______________________________
7. Cats can hear. (well) _______________________________________
8. I saw him. (there) _________________________________________

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