Sentence structure

There are five main structures which we can use to make a simple statement.

1 SUBJECT VERB

  • My arms are aching.

  • Something happened.

2 SUBJECT VERB OBJECT

  • I need a rest.

  • Five people are moving the piano.

The subject and object can be a pronoun (e.g. I) or a noun phrase (e.g. the piano).

3 SUBJECT VERB COMPLEMENT

  • This piano is heavy.

  • It was a big problem.

The complement can be an adjective (e.g. heavy) or a noun phrase (e.g. a big problem). The complement often comes after be. It can also come after appear, become, get, feel, look, seem, stay or sound.

4 SUBJECT VERB ADVERBIAL

  • It is on my foot.

  • Their house is nearby.

An adverbial can be a prepositional phrase (e.g. on my foot) or an adverb (e.g. nearby).

5 SUBJECT VERB OBJECT OBJECT

  • It's giving me backache.

  • David bought Melanie a present.

We use two objects after verbs like give and send.