Typical sentence in English differs from Russian in a strict word order. Arbitrary permutations are highly undesirable. Although individual authors change the correct sequence to impress readers and listeners. This applies to fiction writers and park speakers. But ordinary people, even in the home, it is better to avoid deviations from the standards. Especially for those who are just learning a foreign language. First, you should get used to composing English sentences as it should, then, if you wish, you can take some liberties.

Simple sentences in English

Simplicity denotes the completeness of thought, a single action performed by an actor, including an inspirited person or a whole group of people. Unity in this case is a purely grammatical category, regardless of the diverse reality. Simple sentence in english(Simple Sentence) contains a maximum of one subject (Subject) and a predicate (Predicate). Or does not contain explicitly at all, the main members are implied from the previous context. No semicolons, transitions from one thought to another through a comma, and excursions-explanations with the union “what”. The phrase has a clear semantic focus: a narrative, a question, a prompt or an exclamation. This is emphasized by punctuation marks in writing or voice intonation during oral pronunciation.

Simple sentences in english divided into non-common and widespread. Both one and the other are divided into the following types:

• two-part (two-member);
• one-part (one-member).

In two-part, there can be a subject and a predicate together, these are called complete:

– The baby is smiling.

In incomplete, there is only a subject:

– My parents, of course;

or just the predicate:

– Swimming in the sea.

One-part sentence in english is a specific type, where main term cannot be clearly attributed to the subject or predicate . It is expressed as a noun or verbal infinitive. For example: – To stay here? - stay here? Summer! - summer!

Uncommon Offers

Unextended Sentence contains only a grammatical basis - a subject with a predicate, and even then not always completely, as in the above incomplete ones. There are no additions, circumstances and definitions. Example: – I am sleeping. Here the speaker does not specify where and when he sleeps, in what environment.

Common Suggestions

Extended Sentence consists of a base and related minor members:

• definitions (Attributes);
• add-ons (Objects);
• circumstances (Adverbials).

The definition clarifies the subject (subject), describes its features. It is expressed by one or more words related to a variety of parts of speech, most often to adjectives. Is in front of the subject or immediately after it.

– very little child can't eat much.

– Something unusual happened to them.

Definitions break the usual word order slightly, with the subject first, then the predicate, then the secondary members, except in circumstances that can actually occur anywhere.

Additions are either direct or indirect. Direct denotes the object on which the action is performed. Used without prepositions before it. In Russian, it is usually translated in the accusative case.

– We have bought a car .

– You are doing exercises .

An indirect object is translated in the dative, instrumental or prepositional case. It appears in complicated speech constructions, where, in addition to the actor (subject) and the main subject (object), a “third party” is also involved. If the indirect object is without the to particle, then it is placed before the direct one, used with it comes after the direct one.

– Professor gave books to the students .

– professor gave them books.

Circumstances determine the time and place, the conditions in which events occur. Usually contain prepositions, although they can be expressed in just one word. Circumstances are included English sentences in different places:

• before the subject In the evening she was reading;
• after additions - He had finished his work at the library ;
• between the auxiliary verb and the main - They have already completed their homework.

In the latter case, as a rule, short adverbs are used.

Personal offers

In Personal Sentence, the subject is a specific person or thing: "I", "my friend", "fast car". Expressed by a pronoun or a noun with definitions.

If the subject is already clear from the previous context, it may be omitted explicitly. All the same, such English sentences are considered personal. For example: - I wrote the letter. Then subscribed it.

Indefinitely personal sentences

Indefinite-personal contains one (singular) or they (plural) as the subject.

- One may not enter this room - you can not enter this room;

- They say, next summer will be wet - they say next summer will be wet.

impersonal proposals

Impersonal sentences in English are composed with the formal subject it, since the subject cannot be completely absent, as happens in Russian.

- It is snowing outdoors - it's snowing outside.

- It becomes dark - it becomes dark.

- It seems - it seems.

Types of sentences in English

Offers are of the following types:

• narrative - end with a dot;
• interrogative - end with a question mark;
• exclamatory - ends with an exclamation point;
• incentive, or imperative - usually also with an exclamation at the end.

Declarative sentences

In a declarative sentence in English, the word order is direct.

Types

• Affirmative.
• Negative.

Affirmative, in fact, have already been considered earlier. In negatives, there should be only one negation, not like in Russian, with a frequently occurring double. The particle not comes after the modal (auxiliary) verb. In everyday conversations, abbreviated forms with continuous pronunciation are widely used: isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't, wouldn't, don't, doesn't, didn't, haven't, hasn't , hadn't, can't, shouldn't.

Examples

- He is a good student - a statement.

- He isn't good student - denial.

With the word "No":

– No rival could win him.

– There is no newspaper on the desk.

In addition to "No" and "not", nobody, none, no one, nothing, neither (nor), nowhere are used for negation. These words should not be duplicated either.

exclamatory sentences

Exclamative Sentences express strong emotions, are pronounced loudly and clearly.

Types

They can be combined with a question, then at the end there is a question mark before an exclamation mark, and at the beginning one of the characteristic words: What, Where, When, How ...

Examples

– Shut up! - shut your mouth!

– What is this?! - what it is?!

Interrogative sentences

An interrogative sentence in English is characterized by an increase in the timbre of the voice from the beginning to the end.

Types

• General.
• Special.

A general question is asked without the use of question words. The auxiliary verb comes first. A special question begins with the word "who", "what", "where", "when", "how" ...

Examples

– Who is there?

– Do you like roast beef?

Imperative (incentive) sentences

Imperative Sentence is close to exclamatory, but instead of a passive expression of emotions, it encourages active actions, more or less politely. The exclamation point may not be at the end, unless it is a sharp command. Since the interlocutor is known, the pronoun You is often omitted, breaking the classic word order .

Types

• Affirmative.
• Negative.

A command aimed at third parties, as well as expressing a soft request or offer of help, is customary to begin with the verb let. Negative imperative sentences in english always start with the verb do.

Examples

– Listen to me.

– Don't touch me.

- Let him go away.

- Let's play!!

Let's in the last example is an abbreviation for let us. The full form is almost never included in English sentences, except that they want to surprise the interlocutor with royal courtesy.

Outcome

Having considered various sentences in English, it is useful to practice writing them. Pay special attention to the correct word order. Although in real life there are many exceptions, both generally accepted and invented to make the phrase unusual. For a person who simply wants to talk to foreigners, the most general knowledge of sentences is enough. But a linguistic student needs to learn to accurately define grammatical constructions, to distinguish between complex predicates, circumstances, additions and definitions. Sometimes this requires a lot of work. But having gained experience, it is no longer possible to make a mistake in your speech. A demanding teacher will give a high mark, and foreign acquaintances will be delighted.

» Offers in English

Greetings, lovers of the English language. English proposals on the agenda! If you have ever heard English speech, you must have noticed that in English we cannot put words in a sentence in such a free order as we do when speaking Russian. There are certain rules. For each type of sentence (and there are four of them), the rules for ordering the components are different. In this article, we will analyze all this.

Article outline:

• Sentence. Offer members.
• Types of sentences in English.
• Word order in English sentences.

Sentences in English

A sentence is a combination of words, according to the grammatical norms of the language, that has meaning.

A sentence is a unit of speech. Each language has its own rules for constructing these speech units. In English, there is fixedness in the order of words in a sentence. In principle, therefore, it is important to study the materials of this article.

The members of a sentence are its components that perform certain syntactic functions.

There are two types of sentence members: main and secondary.

In English, a sentence is impossible without the main members, that is, without a subject and a predicate. There is no such strict rule in Russian.

For example: "Winter". "Cold".

In English, we cannot make such proposals, with only one member. We will not say: "Winter" / "Cold"

• It(this) - in the role of the subject
• Is(is) - as a predicate

Types of sentences in English

In English, there are four types of sentences according to the purpose of the statement.
Types of sentences in English

• 1. Narrative - which mean "story", "narrative" about something.

Declarative sentences can be of two types: positive and negative.

I visit my aunt Mary every week-end - I visit my aunt Mary every weekend. (positive narrative)

I don't visit her every week-end - I don't visit her every weekend. (negative narrative)

• 2. Interrogative - sentence-question.

There are also several types of questions in English:

• Question to the subject / question to the subject (Who? What? / Who? What?)

Who likes mashed potatoes? Who loves mashed potatoes?

My granny likes mashed potatoes. - My grandmother loves mashed potatoes.

What happened to them? - What happened to them?

It was a car crash. - It was car accident.

• General question

The answer to this type of questions can be yes or no.

Does she like those movies?

• Special question / special question

Uses the following auxiliary words to get the specific information you need:

• What? what?;
• When? when?;
• Where? where?;
• Why? why?;
• Which? which the? etc.

Where did you work? - Where did you work?

• Alternative question / alternative question

Such a question can be asked to any of the members of the proposal, the question itself suggests an alternative, that is, the choice of an answer, the answer is in the question itself.

Example: Are these books interesting or boring?

• Disjunctive question

This type of question has two parts. In one part, a statement, with the usual word order, in the other, a brief general question, like Russian: isn't it?

Do you have this book, haven't you?

They don't like the play, do they?

• 3. Incentives - a proposal that calls for something - encourages.

An incentive sentence, as a rule, calls for something, this motivation may sound in different forms, such as advice, request, order, prohibition, etc.

Don't be stupid. / Don't be stupid. (prohibition)

Read this interesting story./ Read this interesting story. (Advice)

Learn by heart a poem. / Learn a poem by heart. (Order)

• 4. Exclamatory - sentences said at the moment of surprise, admiration, shock, etc.

These are sentences expressing strong feelings, emotions.

Exclamatory sentences begin with what (pronoun - which, which) or with how (adverb - how).

What a beautiful moment it is! What a wonderful moment!

How well he dances! How well he dances!

Syntax: word order in English sentences

Fixed word order is one of the main characteristics of English grammar. This means that each member of the proposal has its own place. The absence of cases makes it necessary to put words in a certain order so that the meaning of what is said is clear.

In each type of sentence there is a certain word order that should be remembered.

Word order in a declarative sentence:
Word order in English sentences Interrogative sentences are inverted, in some types of questions auxiliary verbs (do, did) appear to construct a question.

Let's take a look at each type of question:

Question to the subject / question to the subject

General question

Special question / special question

Auxiliary verb (ex: do, did) / if necessary / Subject, Predicate, Remaining members of the sentence

Alternative question / alternative question

!!!Mandatory presence of or (or)

Disjunctive question

Word order in incentive sentences

The incentive sentence allows some deviations from the rules.

Dima behaved well yesterday.

Yesterday Dima behaved well.

Dima behaved well yesterday.

Dima behaved well yesterday.

Dima behaved well yesterday.

Dima behaved well yesterday.

No matter how we say these sentences and in what order we put the words in them, their meaning will not change. With this example, we want to show the difference between the construction of Russian and English sentences. Indeed, it is precisely in the latter that such variations are impossible. All due to the fact that there are no endings in English, and in order not to lose the meaning that the speaker wants to convey, English philologists have established rules for composing sentences in English. They are quite clear and require strict adherence.

Consider the features of constructing affirmative sentences.

We have two spellings. The first option looks like this:

subject-predicate-object-adverb

She doesn't bake herself as a rule. Her boyfriend does it for her.

(She doesn't bake herself. Her boyfriend does)

He likes this book very much.

(He really likes this book.)

They will bring this book tomorrow.

(They will bring this book tomorrow)

The second option is written like this:

circumstance-subject-predicate-object

As a rule she doesn't bake herself. Her boyfriend does it for her.

(As a rule, she does not bake herself. Her boyfriend does it)

Yesterday Kevin met his classmates at the airport.

(Yesterday Kevin met his classmates at the airport.)

If we talk about interrogative sentences, it is worth noting that they also have characteristic features of writing.

In our article, we will learn how general and special questions are composed.

More about interrogative sentences:
Interrogative sentences in English

We build a general question according to the following scheme:

verb-subject- addition-circumstance

Will she be at the restaurant after 2?

(Will she be at the restaurant after two?)

Did you bring that book to the library?

(Did you bring that book to the library?)

We usually put “question-word” as the first word in interrogative sentences ( who, whom, where, why, what, which, when, whose, how, how much).

In second place we put an auxiliary verb ( am, is, are, does, did, do, will, shall, would, have, has, can, could, must, may, might, ought, need, should.) It is followed by the subject, the semantic verb, and the rest of the words.

How do you feel today?

(How do you feel today?)

How much sugar does she take in her coffee?

(How much sugar does she put in her coffee?)

Here we have given the main schemes for constructing sentences in English. But, there are some exceptions to the rules, and deviations from the given schemes. We invite you to learn about all these features at our school and get detailed information on this topic.

More significant success in building sentences in English will bring you the desire to think in English, and not just translate sentences from Russian. It will also be useful to watch movies or your favorite English series without translation and with subtitles. Firstly, it will bring not only the possibility of learning, but also spending time with pleasure. Secondly, visual memory will fix the text accompaniment of the film, and you can always rewind the film and read unfamiliar phrases or words. The usefulness of American TV series also lies in the fact that they use a significant amount of slang sentences, exclamations and modern expressions, which, of course, you will need for everyday speech.

Our dear students, the entire Native English School team congratulates you on the coming Easter, wishes you sincerity from others, bright smiles, success in work, peace in the family and in the heart! See you! =)

When learning a foreign language, it is not enough to memorize new vocabulary. The next important step is to turn the learned words into meaningful statements. In order for them to be able to convey to the listener the information that the speaker wants to convey, it is necessary to correctly approach the preparation of sentences in English. One of the existing problems is the word order in English utterances, which often has nothing in common in Russian analogues - translations. In English, the word order is not free, and to put it even more precisely, it is quite strictly fixed.

Putting any member of the sentence in the first place has little effect on the general meaning of the English statement, but introduces a certain new emphasis into it - highlighting the main idea that the speaker plans to convey to others. The order of the members of the English sentence is fixed and dictated by very specific rules. A schematically common English sentence can be represented as follows (naturally, in real speech, some members can easily be absent, their number in the example is not regulated by anything, except for the intention to show their location):

• circumstance (= adverb) - (definition = adjective) + (subject = noun, pronoun) - predicate (= verb) - object (object = pronoun, noun) - circumstance (= adverb), e.g. That autumn the above mentioned person hunted ducks very often. - That autumn the aforementioned man hunted ducks very often.

English sentences are bipartite in nature, which means that the subject and predicate are always present in them. Russian monosyllabic sentences are not applicable to English. English circumstances can take places both at the very beginning and at the very end of the sentence. Subjects and objects may be preceded by definitions. If there is an object in the sentence, it usually follows immediately after the predicate, for example:

• It`s windy. - It's windy. (Here in the English version we have a subject + a predicate).
• It was getting colder. - It was getting colder. (In the English version, subject + predicate).
• It's cold and sunny today. - It's cold and sunny today. (In the English version, subject + 2 predicates + temporal circumstance).
• Jane bought a beautiful picture there. Jane bought a beautiful painting there. (In the English version, subject + predicate + object with definition + circumstance of place).
• The old hunter lived alone. “The old hunter lived alone. (In the English version, we have definition + subject + predicate + adverbial mode of action).

If there are several objects in an English sentence, then they will be arranged in a certain order: first the indirect object (to whom? why?), then the direct object (what? whom?) and only then the prepositional object (how? for what? etc. .), for example:

• His cousin brought them some big shells from the beach. His cousin brought them some big shells from the beach. (Here, the subject with the definition "my cousin" to it precedes the predicate "brought", and after the predicate the indirect object "them" follows first, and then the direct object with the definition "some big shells" to it, and then the adverbial "from the beach" , which with the same success can be put at the very beginning of the sentence: From the beach his cousin brought them some big shells).
• Elisabeth gave her colleagues some interesting magazines for reading. Elizabeth gave her colleagues some interesting magazines to read. (Here, after the predicate "gave" one follows the indirect object with the attribute "her colleagues" to it, then the direct object with the attribute "some interesting magazines" to it, and then the prepositional object "for reading").

Above, the compilation of sentences of a narrative nature was considered. If the statement contains a question, then it will be constructed somewhat differently. At the beginning of interrogative sentences, corresponding interrogative words, as well as auxiliary verbs, may appear. In questions of different types, the word order will also be different.

In general questions, the auxiliary verb comes first, and then the word order is preserved, as in a regular declarative statement. The verb "be" for the formation of the interrogative form of the auxiliary verb does not require, for example:

• Is Barbara from Berlin? – Yes, she is. – Barbara from Berlin? - Yes.
• Is her neighbor a pediatrician? - No, he is not. Is her neighbor a pediatrician? - Not.
• Did he drink his tea? – Yes, he did. Did he drink his tea? - Yes.
• Does Ann learn Spanish? – No, she does not. Is Ann studying Spanish? - Not.

In special English questions, the main goal is to find out certain details or details about something. Such questions are composed using special interrogative words or groups of words, from which it becomes clear to which of the members of the sentence this question is asked. If the interrogative word refers to the subject of the utterance, then the word order is preserved exactly the same as in a similar sentence of a narrative nature, for example:

• Where is Barbara from? Where is Barbara from?
• What is her neighbor? - Who is her neighbor by profession?
• What did Robert drink? What did Robert drink?
• Who studies Spanish? Who is studying Spanish? (Here we have a question for the subject).
• How long were you there? – How long were you there?
• How many books did John read? How many books has John read?
• How old is Mary? - How old is Mary?
• Whom have your children seen in the garden? Whom did your children see in the garden?
• What color is Elisabeth`s new car? What color is Elizabeth's new car?

In alternative questions, the opponent is asked to make a certain choice. The order of the words in them is the same as in general questions, for example:

• Is Elisabeth`s new car yellow or green ? Is Elizabeth's new car yellow or green?
• Are they going to buy apples or pears? Are they going to buy apples or pears?

The last type of English questions are tag questions. Their main part is an affirmation or negation, and in the second part the question itself is asked directly, in the structure of which an auxiliary verb and a pronoun are necessarily present. If in the first part we have a statement, then in the second there is an additional particle not. If there is negation in the first part, then there is no not in the second part. Such questions are used when you want to get confirmation from the interlocutor of the thought expressed, for example.

Is it possible to build such an understandable system that would make it easy to build sentences in English and quickly understand all tense forms? Let's see.

First you need to figure out what generally accepted standards exist, and how you can not get lost in the apparent complexity while teaching English.

If you look in more detail at the structure of a sentence in English, it becomes obvious that in order to quickly learn how to express yourself concisely and clearly, you just need to train yourself to recognize the subject (who does?) And the predicate (what does?) in an English sentence.

In most sentences, the subject comes before the verb. The only exceptions are interrogative sentences. But in any case, you need to start simple. Thus, it will be easy to learn how to write sentences in English.

Simplicity is the key to success

Let's start with the simplest. This will be the base from which you will need to build on in the future. Understanding it will greatly simplify the job of automating the construction of sentences in our head on the fly.

It is worth knowing that English sentences, unlike Russian ones, are simple, concise and brevity. Perhaps this is due to the English mentality, but now is not about that.

Long and very complex sentences in English can still be found. They are found in legal texts or in fiction, i.e. where appropriate. However, in live communication, long sentences are extremely rare. But to start, you need to build on the simple.

Let's find out what a simple sentence is in English. Any sentence is built in order to describe the real life situation as clearly as possible.

In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to use words to describe the current situation and connect them so that the meaning is conveyed as succinctly as possible. If it is possible to correctly convey the meaning, then in the head of the one to whom the information is transmitted, an image of the same picture will be obtained.

In Russian, words are connected with the help of endings. However, in English the situation is completely different, there is no change in many endings.

On the one hand, this simplifies the process of memorization and study, and on the other hand, it requires maximum clarity in sentence construction and the correct use of prepositions.

Golden Rule

So, let's define the first and most important rule - direct word order! First it says who does it, then what it does. In Russian, any variations are available, for example:

• The boy is fishing.
• The boy is fishing.
• The boy is fishing.
• The boy is fishing.

In English, there is always only one word order - "A boy is catching some fish".
Remember this golden rule that you should start with when learning English. Everything is tied to verbs (simple predicates). They will, of course, be in some form of one of the English tenses (from here you can immediately understand how to use tenses), three moods and two pledges. For beginners, the main thing is to understand the basics:

In English, sentence structure always follows a certain structure:

• Subject (who/what?),
• verb (what is he doing?),
• object (who/what? addition),
• place (where?),
• time (when?).

For example: "I like to walk with my dog ​​in the park in the evening."

• like to walk;
• with my dog;
• in the park;
• in the evening.

Time

For many who begin to learn a language, their head is spinning from an infinite number of temporary forms. If we take into account all of them, then it turns out 16. This is explained by the fact that the tense system is clearly different from the one used in the Russian language. Of course, there are common points, but the main trump card of the system of English tenses is strict order, consistency, obedience to the laws of grammar and logic.

But times are not as terrible as they are painted. If you master at least six of the most consumed, you can feel confident in almost any communication situation - these are Present Simple, Past Simple, Future Simple, Present Continuous, Past Continuous, and Present Perfect.
Example:

• I go to work every day. - Present Simple (what happens regularly).
• I went to work yesterday. - Past Simple (stating a fact in the past).
• I will go to work tomorrow. - Future Simple (stating a fact in the future).
• I am going to work now. - Present Continuous (what is happening now).
• I was going to work when you called me. - Past Continuous (what happened at a certain point in time in the past).
• I have already gone to work. - Present Perfect (it is not known when the action took place, but there is its result in the present).

What is most important is the need to remember that each group of tenses has similar characteristics and norms for the formation of a semantic verb, as well as principles of use, and this is the key to the rapid assimilation of all tenses.

Once you can draw parallels and feel the differences, you can use all tenses without much difficulty. Therefore, for starters, just try to remember how the English sentences of the Simple group are built, starting with Present (present). It is extremely convenient to learn and memorize grammatical tenses by placing them in a table.

Readable tense tables are present in all textbooks used at the EnglishDom school.

So, do not be afraid of any difficulties. Everything starts simple, and everything ingenious is also simple. Having understood the basic principles of constructing a sentence, you can further attach and train all tenses, moods and pledges.

The main thing - you can not grab onto everything at once. Only after you have fully mastered one rule for yourself, move on to another. Review what you have learned from time to time so you don't forget. But what should never be forgotten is the basic principles of constructing an English sentence. So, it's always easy to start - train your skills on simple sentences, then, as you understand, complicate them.

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