Word Order

1. What is Word 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.

2.Examples of Word Order

Here are some examples of words put into the correct and incorrect order:

I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters at home. CORRECT

2 brothers and 2 sisters have I at home. INCORRECT

I am in middle school. CORRECT

In middle school I am. INCORRECT

How are you today? CORRECT

You are how today? INCORRECT

As you can see, it’s usually easy to see whether or not your words are in the correct order. When
words are out of order, they stand out, and usually change the meaning of a sentence or make it
hard to understand.

3. Types of Word Order

In English, we follow one main pattern for normal sentences and one main pattern for sentences
that ask a question.

a. Standard Word Order

A sentence’s standard word order is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). Remember, the subject
is what a sentence is about; so, it comes first. For example:

The dog (subject) + eats (verb) + popcorn (object).

The subject comes first in a sentence because it makes our meaning clear when writing and
speaking. Then, the verb comes after the subject, and the object comes after the verb; and that’s
the most common word order. Otherwise, a sentence doesn’t make sense, like this:

Eats popcorn the dog. (verb + object + subject)

Popcorn the dog eats. (object + subject + verb)

B. Questions

When asking a question, we follow the order auxiliary verb/modal auxiliary + subject + verb
(ASV). 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. Here’s a chart
to help you:

As said, questions follow the form ASV; or, if they have an object, ASVO. Here are some
examples:

Can he cook? “Can” (auxiliary) “he” (subject) “cook” (verb)

Does your dog like popcorn? “Does” (A) “your dog” (S) “like” (V) “popcorn” (O)

Are you burning the popcorn? “Are” (A) “you” (S) “burning” (V) “popcorn” (O)

4. Parts of Word 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.

a. Indirect Objects

When we add an indirect object, a sentence will follow a slightly different order. Indirect objects
always come between the verb and the object, following the pattern SVIO, like this:
I fed the dog some popcorn.

This sentence has “I” (subject) “fed” (verb) “dog” (indirect object) “popcorn” (direct object).

b. Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases also have special positions in sentences. 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:

I fed some popcorn to the dog.

Other prepositional phrases, determining time and location, can go at either the beginning or the
end of a sentence:

He ate popcorn at the fair. -Or- At the fair he ate popcorn.

In the morning I will go home. I will go home in the morning.

c. Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, adding things like time, manner, degree;
and often end in ly, like “slowly,” “recently,” “nearly,” and so on. As a rule, an adverb (or any
modifier) should be as close as possible to the thing it is modifying. But, adverbs are special
because they can usually be placed in more than one spot in the sentence and are still correct.
So, there are rules about their placement, but also many exceptions.

In general, when modifying an adjective or adverb, an adverb should go before the word it
modifies:

The dog was extremely hungry. CORRECT adverb modifies “hungry”

Extremely, the dog was hungry. INCORRECT misplaced adverb

The extremely dog was hungry. INCORRECT misplaced adverb

The dog was hungry extremely. INCORRECT misplaced adverb

As 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.

When modifying a verb, an adverb should generally go right after the word it modifies, as in the
first sentence below. BUT, these other uses are also correct, though they may not be the best:

The dog ran quickly to the fair. CORRECT * BEST POSITION

Quickly the dog ran to the fair. CORRECT

The dog quickly ran to the fair. CORRECT

The dog ran to the fair quickly. CORRECT

For adverbs expressing frequency (how often something happens) the adverb goes directly after
the subject:
The dog always eats popcorn.

He never runs slowly.

I rarely see him.

Adverbs expressing time (when something happens) can go at either the beginning or of the end
of the sentence, depending what’s important about the sentence. If the time isn’t very important,
then it goes at the beginning of the sentence, but if you want to emphasize the time, then the
adverb goes at the end of the sentence:

Now the dog wants popcorn. Emphasis on “the dog wants popcorn”

The dog wants popcorn now. Emphasis on “now”

5. How to Use Avoid Mistakes with Word Order

Aside from following the proper SVO pattern, it’s important to write and speak in the way that
is the least confusing and the most clear. If you make mistakes with your word order, then your
sentences won’t make sense. Basically, if a sentence is hard to understand, then it isn’t correct.
Here are a few key things to remember:

 The subject is what a sentence is about, so it should come first.

 A modifier (like an adverb) should generally go as close as possible to the thing it is
modifying.
 Indirect objects can change the word order from SVO to SVIO
 Prepositional phrases have special positions in sentences

Finally, here’s an easy tip: when writing, always reread your sentences out loud to make sure
that the words are in the proper order—it is usually pretty easy to hear! If a sentence is clear,
then you should only need to read it once to understand it.

Word order in sentences - Easy Learning

Grammar
The order of words in an English sentence is very important. A change in word order often
results in a change of meaning.Many other languages use inflection, a change in the form of
words, to show how the parts of a sentence function. English has very few inflections, so the
place that a word occupies in a sentence, its syntax, is the most important feature.

Neutral word order

Most sentences have a subject, and then something that is said about the subject, which is
usually the rest of the sentence. This divides the sentence into the subject and the predicate.

 John (subject) bought the tickets on Saturday (predicate).

 The wall (subject) was torn down (predicate).
 My elderly mother (subject) is rather deaf (predicate).

Most sentences put the information that they carry in this order. This is neutral word order.
When this neutral order is changed, the meaning of a sentence also changes.
  The cat killed the dog.
 The dog killed the cat.
 The child watched the rabbit.
 The rabbit watched the child.

Word order in simple sentences

Simple sentences are those which have only one clause. They are extremely common in all
forms of written and spoken English. Simple sentences have a normal word order which varies
according to whether the sentence is:

 a statement,

 I saw you at the theatre on Saturday night.

 I didn’t see you at the theatre on Saturday night.

 a question,

 Did I see you at the theatre on Saturday night?

 Didn’t I see you at the theatre on Saturday night?

 a command.

 You should buy a ticket now.

 You shouldn’t buy a ticket yet.
 Buy a ticket now.
 Don’t buy a ticket now.

Word order also varies according to whether the sentence is negative or positive.

Focusing
When we want to focus the attention of a reader or a listener on a particular word or phrase, we
can use variations on neutral order, such as putting the subject last, splitting the clause into two,
or repeating some part of the sentence.Some variations on the theme of neutral word order.

 We used to call him ‘Fuzzy’.

 ‘Fuzzy’, we used to call him.
 Didn’t we use to call him ‘Fuzzy’?
 ‘Fuzzy’ was what we used to call him.
 It was ‘Fuzzy’ we used to call him.

Word order: structures

from English Grammar Today

There are a number of options which we can use to add emphasis or focus within a clause.

Indirect object versus prepositional complement

When we talk about someone receiving something, we can express it using the typical word
order: indirect object (io) + direct object (do).
If we want to bring more emphasis or focus to the recipient, we can use a prepositional
complement (pc) instead of an indirect object.

Compare
I gave [IO]Margaret
Typical word order: IO + DO
[DO]a present.
Untypical word order: DO + PC
I gave [DO]a present [PC]to
Putting the prepositional complement at the end brings
Margaret.
more emphasis and focus to the person who received the
present.

In formal contexts, we sometimes put prepositional complements in front position so as to bring

focus to the new information given in the direct object:

[PC]For his wife, he wrote [DO = focus]a beautiful poem.

Warning:

We don’t normally put indirect objects in front position:

He passed Williams the ball.

Not: Williams he passed the ball.

See also:

 Complements

Active and passive voice

Active voice is the typical word order. That is when we put the subject (the doer) first, followed
by the new information (which is the focus):

Lesley has written four successful novels.

If we use the passive voice, we can often omit who the doer is:

The cake was cut. (no doer)

Or we can place the doer in a prepositional phrase after the verb. When we do this, we focus on
the doer:

The music was played by a local quartet. (doer in prepositional phrase after the verb)

The hotel was run by a quaint couple from Wales.

See also:

 Passive: active and passive

Cleft sentences
Cleft means ‘divided’ and in a cleft sentence a single message is divided across two clauses. We
use cleft sentences, especially in speaking, to connect what is already understood to what is new
to the listener. By doing this we can focus on the new information. There are different types of
cleft sentence.

It-cleft sentences

In these sentences, the focus is on the it-clause and this is where we put the new information
(underlined below). We use that to connect another clause containing information which is
already understood by the listener:

A:

Did you find your MP3 player, Lisa?

B:

It was my phone that I’d lost. I found it under the couch. (Focus: it was my phone (not my MP3
player). Already understood: I’d lost something.)

Wh-cleft sentences

Wh-cleft sentences are introduced by a wh-word, usually what. The old information is in the wh-
clause and the new information (underlined) is at the end:

What I love about you is your sense of humour.

Where you’ll find great seafood is Molly’s Seafood Restaurant on the quay.

See also:

 Cleft sentences (It was in June we got married.)

The thing, the one thing, something

The thing

We can use the thing in front position plus a form of the verb be to bring attention to an item in
the clause. It means the same as what plus be, but it is more informal (the focus in each sentence
is underlined below):

The thing I like most about Italy is the food. (or What I like most about Italy is the food.)

We can use a singular verb even if the item we focus on is plural:

The thing I like most about Scotland is the castles.

When we focus on a that-clause, we can omit that in informal situations:

The thing you need to remember is (that) all of the files from before 2008 are stored in Shona’s
office.
When we focus on an infinitive clause, we can omit to in informal situations:

The thing I didn’t want to do was (to) queue all day just for a ticket, so I booked it online.

One thing, the one thing

We can emphasise thing with one. The one thing is even stronger:

You’ll meet a lot people when you’re travelling but one thing you must never do is give your
address to a complete stranger.

The one thing I should never have done was trust Marlene.

Something

We can use something in front position plus a form of the verb be to bring attention to an item in
the clause (underlined). It is less specific and less direct than using the thing, and means ‘one
thing among others’:

Something I mustn’t forget is my umbrella. (or What I mustn’t forget is my umbrella.)

Something you need to know is that Kate is not very well at the moment.

See also:

 Thing and stuff

 Headers and tails

It to create focus
When we use it at the beginning of a clause, the subject can go at the end of the clause and
therefore be in the position of focus or emphasis (underlined):

It’s great to know that you have passed all of your exams.

It was ridiculous paying for two houses.

To create extra focus on time adjuncts (yesterday, in the morning, at 4 am), we can front them
using phrases such as it is/was not until, it is/was only when. In the case of not until, the negative
verb comes in the until-clause, not the main clause:

It wasn’t until the bill came yesterday that we realised what an expensive hotel it was.
(Compare: Until the bill came yesterday, we didn’t realise what an expensive hotel it was.)

It was only when I woke at 8 am, that I realised the alarm hadn’t gone off!

(Compare: When I woke at 8 am, I realised the alarm hadn’t gone off.)

There to create focus

We can use there at the start of a clause as a type of indefinite subject. This means that we can
put the actual subject at the end of the clause and so give it emphasis or focus (underlined
below):
There was a strange smell coming from the room. (Compare: A strange smell was coming from
the room.)

There are many people willing to travel to the concert. (Compare: Many people are willing to
travel to the concert.)

Noun forms of verbs to create focus

In formal writing, especially academic writing, we can use a noun form of a verb as a subject.
By doing this, extra focus is given to the end of the clause. Noun phrase subjects (topics) are in
bold type below; the focus of each sentence is underlined:

The discovery of oil brought immense wealth to the country. (Compare: Oil was discovered and
this brought immense wealth to the country.)

His emergence as a leader came about after the strikes of the 1980s. (Compare: He emerged as
a leader (and this came about) after the strikes of the 1980s.)

Basic word order in English

The basic word order of an English sentence is Subject + Predicate.

The predicate is the part of the sentence that tells something about the subject. The predicate
always includes the verb.

So, Subject + Predicate word order can be broken down into smaller pieces like this:

subject + verb

Or

subject + verb + object

Let's review the definitions of these parts of speech.

 subject = noun or pronoun

The person, place, or thing that the sentence is about.

 verb = action or state of being

one verb or a verb phrase

 object = the noun or nouns that receives the action of the verb or is affected by the action
of the verb

Unlike some languages, English usually requires you to put the subject near the beginning of the
sentence before the verb. Native speakers rarely stray from this word order in correct English.

Examples:
Look for the correct word order in these examples. The examples are color-coded.

subject + verb + object

Correct:

The teacher taught.

Incorrect:

Taught the teacher.

Correct:

The students listen.

Incorrect:

Listen the students.

Correct:

He gave flowers to her.

Incorrect:

Flowers to her he gave.

 Correct:

She smiled at the boy.

Incorrect:

At the boy she smiled.

The sentences above are simple English sentences. Remember, in English sentences, word order
is very specific. The subject always comes before the verb.

To make sentences more descriptive and complex, we add adjectives, adverbs, and indirect
objects.

In the next three sections, you will learn word order with adjectives, adverbs, and indirect
objects.

Return to Basic word order in English

Word order: adjectives

Word order: adverbs

Word order: indirect objects

Word order: adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. There are many adjectives in English. Here are a few:

happy sad funny blue large

quiet pretty three green simple

We can make sentences more descriptive by adding adjectives to describe the subjects and
objects in a sentence.
Adjectives often come before the noun that they describe.

Examples:

The smart teacher taught the quiet students.

The happy students listened to the serious teacher.

Adjectives can also be placed at the end of a sentences by using a stative verbs. (Stative verbs
express a state rather than an action: seem, love, be, is, know.)

Examples:

The teacher is smart. The students are quiet.

The students seem happy, but the teacher looks serious.

All of these sentences still follow the Subject + Verb + Object word order:

Complete Subject: The smart teacher

Verb: taught

Object: the quiet students

Complete Subject: The happy students

Verb phrase: listened to

Object: the serious teacher

Subject: The students

Verb: seem
 Adjective: happy.

Subject: The teacher

Verb: is

Adjective: smart.

Often, there is more than one adjective in a sentence. Adjectives have their own word order in a
sentence as shown in this chart:

Example:

The smart American teacher taught the quiet, young Chinese students.

The Chinese students are quiet and young.

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Word order: adverbs

We can also make sentences more descriptive and complex by adding adverbs. An adverb is a
word that describes or gives more information about a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or
even an entire sentence. There are many adverbs in English. Here are a few:

yesterday quickly really heavily fast sometimes

hard suddenly today too never very

Examples:

(The adverbs are in purple.)

 The teacher quickly taught the students.

 Yesterday, the teacher taught the students.

 Yesterday, the teacher quickly taught the students.

 The teacher quickly taught the students yesterday.

These sentences still follow the Subject + Verb + Object word order. Sometimes the adverb is
placed at the beginning of the sentence before the subject, but the subject still comes before its
verb.

Adverbs can be placed in three places in a sentence.

Placement of adverbs in a sentence

In English, we never put an adverb between a verb and the object.

Correct: She always cooks pizza.

Incorrect: She cooks always pizza.

Adverbs and adverb phrases can be placed in three places in a sentence:

1. At the front of the sentence, before the subject

 Yesterday, the teacher taught the students.

 Suddenly, I ran to the door.

 At the corner, she turned right.

2. At the end of a sentence, after the object

 The students will take the test tomorrow.

 John invited his friends too.

 She will arrive home in an hour.

3. In the middle of a sentence (before or after the verb) or in the middle of a group of verbs

 before the verb:

She often studies before class.

Jack rarely checks his mailbox.

 after the verb:

The student works quietly at her desk.

Billy looks fondly at his mother.

 in the middle of a group of verbs:

The teacher will quickly teach the students.

Lisa has nearly finished the race.

Adverbs are usually placed near the verb that they modify. Most adverbs can be placed in any
of the positions in a sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence. (But different
placements emphasize different things. Placing the adverb at the end gives more emphasis
to the adverb.)

Example:

1. Suddenly, I ran to the door.

2. I suddenly ran to the door.
3. I ran to the door suddenly.

The placement of suddenly does not change the meaning of the sentence.

However, the placement of some adverbs can greatly change the meaning of a sentence.
Example:

1. Only I love you. (I love you. Nobody else loves you.)

2. I only love you. (I love you. I do not love anything else.)
3. I love only you. (You are the only person I love. I do not love anybody else.)
4. I love you only. (You are the only person I love. I do not love anybody else.)

The fourth sentence has the same meaning as the third sentence, but the third sentence has a
stronger emphasis.

More than one adverb in a sentence

When there is more than one adverb in a sentence, they usually go in this order: manner, place,
frequency, time. There are several rules for order of adverbs in a sentence that we will discuss in
another lesson.

For more information about the order of adverbs and adverb phrases in a sentence, go to this
lesson: Order of Adverbs.

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Word order: indirect object

Before reading this section, you might want to review objects of a sentence here: English
Direct Object, Indirect Object, and Object of the Preposition.

An indirect object is a person or thing that the action is done to or for.

A direct object is a person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb. The direct
object receives the action of the verb.

Word order of the indirect object is important in English. The indirect object usually comes
right before the direct object, but not always.

The indirect object can be placed before or after the direct object in a sentence depending on
whether you use the preposition "to."

The indirect object comes after the direct object when it is formed with the preposition to.
When it is placed here, it is called the object of the preposition.
 He gave flowers.

He gave flowers to his mother.

He is telling the story.

He is telling the story to her.

He mailed the package.

 He mailed the package to his family.

The indirect object comes before the direct object if to is not used.

He gave flowers.

He gave his mother flowers.

He is telling the story.

She is telling her the story.

 He mailed the package.

He mailed his family the package.

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