Just
about all sentences in the English language fall into ten patterns determined
by the presence and functions of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
The
patterns are most easily classified according to the type of verb used:
Verb of being patterns (1, 2, 3) use a
form of the verb to be as
the main verb in the sentence.
is
are was
were has been have
been had been
Linking verb patterns (4, 5) use one of
the linking verbs as the main verb in the sentence. The linking verb is
followed by a noun or adjective functioning as a subjective complement.
smell
taste look
feel seem
become appear grow
Action verb patterns (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) use
one of the many action verbs as the main verb in the sentence. The action
verb may be either transitive (take a direct object) or intransitive (not take
a direct object).
see
jump embrace
write imagine buy
plummet think etc.
Terms used to identify various parts of
each sentence pattern include the following:
- NP = noun phrase
This abbreviation refers to a headword noun and its modifiers ("noun
phrase") functioning as a subject, direct object, indirect object,
subjective complement, or objective complement.
- NP1, NP2, NP3, etc. = designations for different noun phrase functions
Numbers
in sequential order are used with each NP to designate its difference from or
similarity to other NPs before and after it.
- V-be = verb of being
- LV = linking verb
- V-int = intransitive verb
- V-tr = transitive verb
- ADV/TP = adverbial of time or place
- ADJ = adjective
THE TEN SENTENCE PATTERNS
1. NP1 + V-be + ADV/TP
The
verb of being is followed by an adverb indicating where or when.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt1.jpg)
More information on subjects
The
adverbial indicating where or when may be a prepositional phrase.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt2.jpg)
2. NP1 + V-be + ADJ
The
verb of being is followed by an adjective that functions as the subjective
complement.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt3.jpg)
More information on subjective
complements
The
adjectival functioning as the subjective complement may be a prepositional
phrase.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt4.jpg)
3. NP1 + V-be + NP1
The
verb of being is followed by a noun that functions as the subjective
complement.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt5.jpg)
Note: The second NP receives the same numerical designation as the first NP because the second NP, the subjective complement, is the same as the subject (Mr. James = teacher).
4. NP1 + LV + ADJ
The
linking verb is followed by an adjective functioning as a subjective
complement.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt6.jpg)
The adjectival functioning as the subjective complement may be a prepositional phrase.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt7.jpg)
5. NP1 + LV + NP1
The
linking verb is followed by a noun functioning as a subjective complement.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt8.jpg)
Note: The second NP receives the same numerical designation as the first NP because the second NP, the subjective complement, is the same as the subject (Joan = Buddhist).
6. NP1 + V-int
The
action verb takes no direct object.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt9.jpg)
Even if the action verb is followed by a prepositional phrase, the verb is still intransitive as long as it does not take a direct object.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt10.jpg)
7. NP1 + V-tr + NP2
The
action verb is followed by a direct object.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt11.jpg)
More information on direct objects
Note:
The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation
(NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1).
8. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 + NP3
The
action verb is followed by an indirect object and then a direct object.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt12.jpg)
More information on indirect
objects
Note:
The indirect object and the direct object each receive a new numerical
designation because each is different from the other and both are different
from the subject.
9. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 + ADJ
The
action verb is followed by a direct object. The direct object is followed
by an adjective functioning as an objective complement.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt13.jpg)
More information on objective
complements
Note:
The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation
(NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1).
10. NP1 + V-tr + NP2 + NP2
The
action verb is followed by a direct object. The direct object is followed
by a noun functioning as an objective complement.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/SentPatt14.jpg)
Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation (NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1). The third NP, the objective complement, receives the same numerical designation as the direct object (NP2) because it is the same as the direct object (Jacobsen = friend).
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