Five Basic Sentence Patterns
I. Subject + V. Intransitive.
1. Simon runs (fast).
2. The youngsters dance (crazily).
3. Jeff sleeps (well).
II. Subject + V. Linking + Subjective Complement
4. Charles is an athlete. (Charles is athletic.)
5. The girls are dancers. (The girls are elegant.)
6. James is a lady-killer.
(He is charming.)
** A verb that takes a subjective complement is a linking verb. It links or joins a
subject and a subjective complement.
*'" The noun or adjective that renames the subject is called a sUbjective complement.
iiThere are comparatively few verbs that have the linking function. We can II
~con,:~~~nt.h think of them in three closely related grou2s. ;!
:!A::/Be,tbe most commonly u::': ~:::king verb, and a few others meaning I:
.iessenHaUy the same thing: seem~ appear, prove remain~ continu~, etc.
j II
1. John is a talented musician. !I
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2. The performer seemed nervous. 11 Ii
!i 3. Eric remained peaceful and calm. I I
II 4. Robert's words proved meaningless. I!
fiB. Become, and a few others like it: turn, grow.
·1
it 1. Later Alice became an accountant.
ii 2. Soon Tim grew tired of the game.
11-1. Billy turned red from embarrassment.
~"
!ie. A few verbs referring to the senses. (look, smell, taste, feel, sound,) which can .
J I
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!I be [Link] by adjective complements that describe the condition of the II' ·1'
!I subject. ,
11 1. The rose looks beautiful in that vase. i I
~.; I 2. Th~s di~h tastes different. i I!
I, 3. TIus mtlk smells sour. ,I
i I 4. 1 feel bad about the election results. I. 1•
I!i 5. That suggestion doesn't sound promising. !I
1
III. Subject + V. Transitive .,. D~lect Object
7. Doris and Mike attended a wedding banquet.
8. The twin sisters join a dance club.
9. Jeff favors exotic food.
*'" Verbs ttJ,at take direct objects are known as transitive verbs.
IV. Subject + V. Transitive + Indirect Object + Direct Object
10. Kenneth gives his parents pride.
11. Stacy grants Neil his wish.
12. Eugene promises Linda happiness and security.
** Pattern 4 sentences contain two complements. the indirect object and the direct
object. The indirect answers a question such as ''To whom?" or "For who~:?" The
direct object, the receiver of the action, answers the question "Who?" or "What7"
after the transitive verb.
IjVerbs that are commonly used this way and therefore produce a Pattern 4 structures
i Iare allow, as~ign, ask, tell, write, send, sho,w, pay, grant, and so on. N~ar1y all
'sentences usmg such verbs can make essentlally the same statement by usmg a
Il
"prepositional phrase. the preposition usually being to or for. When the
II re ositional hrase is actually resent in the sentence, it is a Pattern 3 sentence.
--->
1. Bill Clinton wrote George W. Bush Jr. a letter, (Pattern :'
;,
12. Julia Roberts bought a painting for Hugh Grant. (Pattern _ _ )
13. Tina Turner sings us a song. (Pattern _ _-'
;4. Celine Dion sings a song for U,5. (Pattern _ _J
!S. Send an e-mail message to me as soon as you get there. (Pattern _ _'
!6. Drop me a note as soo~ou get there. (Pattern )
V. Subject + V. Transitive .;- Objzct + Objective Complement
13. David's parents consider him a genius,
14. Martha's friends think her marvelous.
15. Schoolteachers find Johnny great pleasure.
16, Steve finds his new neighbor attractive.
17. Don makes Sandy content.
18. The police call Jeff a con artist.
There are two complements in Pattern 5 sentences. The one closer to the verb is the
object, and the second one the objective compiement, which we can define as a noun
that renames the object or an adjecliv~ ilIaL describes iht object. Tht: following
verbs are among those most commonly used in Pattern 5 sentences: make, find, think,
keep, consider, elect, appoint, and name, etc.
19. The law firm appointed Jason its representative.
20. The committee elected Jennifer to be its chair.
21. The entire class name;;:, Ev'afl its leader,
22. Students thought this punishment (to be) severe.
23. The zookeeper sets the caged animals free.
C8mplied by Whelan Lo (2oon