Word Order in English Sentences.
English sentences are divided into statements, questions, commands, and exclamatory sentences. Word order in different types of sentences has certain peculiarities.
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▶ Statements (Declarative sentences)
Statements (declarative sentences) are the most common type of sentences. A standard statement uses the basic word order pattern, i.e., SUBJECT + PREDICATE (+ object + adverbial modifier). Adverbial modifiers are placed at the end of the sentence after the object (or after the verb if there is no object). Attributes (adjectives, numerals) are placed before their nouns, and attributes in the form of nouns with prepositions are placed after their nouns.
▷ Example:
Bob writes short stories for children.
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▶ Questions (Interrogative sentences)
▶ General questions
Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (+ object + adverbial modifier).
▷ Example:
Have you seen this film?
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▶ Special questions
Question word + auxiliary verb + subject + main verb (+ object + adverbial modifier).
▷ Example:
Where does she live?
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▶ Alternative questions
The same word order as general questions.
▷ Example:
Does he live in US or Canada?
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▶ Tag questions
Tag questions consist of two parts. The first part has the same word order as statements, and the second part is a short general question (the tag).
▷ Example:
She lives here, doesn't she?
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▶ Commands (Imperative sentences)
Commands have the same word order as statements, but the subject (you) is usually omitted.
▷ Example:
Listen to me.
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▶ Exclamatory sentences
Exclamatory sentences have the same word order as statements (i.e., the subject is before the predicate).
▷ Example:
What a beautiful song!