Basic Word Order in English Sentences

In the English language, declarative sentences make a statement, provide a fact, offer an explanation, or simply convey information. They can be positive or negative.

In English grammar, there is a particular word word order in declarative sentences: subject – predicate – object.

Positive and Negative Declarative Sentences

Rule 1: The usual word order for declarative sentences is subject – verb (predicate) – object – place – time.

Here is an overview of the basic word order for both positive and negative declarative sentences:

Verbs with Two Objects

Rule 2: If a sentence has more than one object, the indirect object usually goes before the direct object.

Note: When the indirect object has a preposition, it goes after the direct object.

Dependent Clauses

Rule 3: A dependent clause forms a complex sentence together with a main clause. The word order in dependent clauses is the same, but the clause begins with a conjunction.

Note: We can place the time or dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence to make the wiring more interesting without disrupting the following word order.