Word Order in English Sentenc

es

Word Order in Positive Sentences

Word Order in Negative Sentences
Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
Position of Time Expressions
Position of Adverbs
Adverbs
Adverbs
Adverbs
Adverbs

of
of
of
of

Manner
Place
Time
Frequency

Word Order in Questions

Word Order in Positive

Sentences
At the beginning, remember this simple rule:
subject

verb(s)

object

speak

English.

can speak

English.

Word Order in Positive

Sentences
If you are a more advanced learner,
remember
the following rule:
subject verb(s)

will tell

indirect
object

you

direct
object

place

the story at school

time

tomorrow
.

Word Order in Negative

Sentences
The word order in negative sentences is the
same as inaffirmative sentences. Note,
however, that in negative sentences we
usually need an auxiliary verb:

subject

verb(s)

indirect
object

will not
tell

you

direct
object

place

the story at school

time

tomorrow
.

Word Order in Subordinate

Clauses
In subordinate clauses, the word order is the
same as in simple affirmative sentences.
(Conjunctions are often used between two
clauses):
conjuncti
subject verb(s)
on

because

indirec
direct
t
object
object

place

time

will tell

you

the
story

at school

tomorrow

dont
have

time

now.

Position of Time Expressions

Adverbs of time (e.g.: recently, now, then,
yesterday) are usually put at the end of the
sentence.

subject

verb(s)

indirect
object

direct
object

time

will tell

you

the story

tomorrow.

Position of Time Expressions

If you dont 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

will tell

you

the story

Note that some time expressions areadverbs of

frequency(always, never, usually, etc.). These are
usually put before the main verb (except for be as a
main verb). (see alsoPosition of Adverbs in the
following section)

Position of Adverbs: manner

These adverbs (e.g.: slowly, carefully, awfully)
are put behind the direct object (or behind
the verb if theres no direct object).

subject

verb(s)

direct object

adverb

He

drove

the car

cafefully.

He

drove

carefully.

Position of Adverbs: place

Like adverbs of manner, these adverbs (e.g.:
here, there, behind, above) are put behind
the direct object or the verb.

subject

verb(s)

direct object

adverb

didnt see

him

here.

He

stayed

behind.

Position of Adverbs: time I

Adverbs of time (e.g.: recently, now,
then, yesterday) are usually put at the
end of the sentence.

subject

verb(s)

indirect
object

direct
object

adverb

will tell

you

the story

tomorrow.

Position of Adverbs: time II

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.

adverb

subject

verb(s)

indirect
object

direct
object

Tomorrow

will tell

you

the story.

Position of Adverbs:
frequency I
Adverbs of frequency (e.g.: always,
never, seldom, usually) 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. If there is an auxiliary verb,
however, adverbs of frequency are put
before be.

Position of Adverbs:
frequency II
subject

auxiliary/b
adverb
e

main
verb

object, place or
time

often

go
in the evenings.
swimming

He

doesnt

always

play

tennis.

We

are

usually

here in summer.

have

never

been

abroad.

Word Order in Questions I

In questions, the word ordersubject-verbs-objectis the
same as inaffirmative sentences. The only thing thats
different is that you usually have to put the auxiliary
verb (or the main verb be) before the subject.
Interrogatives are put at the beginning of the
sentences:
Wh- auxilia subjec
t
word
ry
What

When

other
verb(s)

would

you

like to tell

Did

you

have

were

you

indirec
direct
t
object
object

place

time

in your
flat

yesterday
?

me?
a
party

here?

Word Order in Questions II

You dont use an auxiliary verb if you ask for
the subject. In this case the interrogative
simply takes the place of the subject.

Wh- word
subject

verb(
s)

indirect /
direct object

Who

asked

you?

place

time