Sentences

The usual structure of a sentence is:

Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)

To make a sentence, you usually need:

1. a subject (S): the person, people or thing(s) doing the action

2. a verb (V): the action (can sometimes be separated into a main verb and an auxiliary verb)

3. an object (O): information that adds context to the subject’s action (when necessary)

Sometimes, adverbs or transition words can be added to the sentence.

Adverbs can be placed just before the verb.

Adverbs can also be placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

When a transition word is placed at the beginning of a sentence, before the subject, use a comma after it.

To make a negative sentence in the simple present or simple past with to be, you usually need:

1. a subject: the person, people or thing(s)

2. the verb to be

3. the function word not

4. an object: information that adds context to the sentence

Verbs other than to be use an auxiliary verb to form a negative sentence.

In this case, the structure usually is: 

1. a subject: the person, people or thing(s) doing the action

2. the auxiliary verb: first part of the verb or helping verb.

3. the function word not

4. a verb: the action (in its base form)

5. an object*: information that adds context to the sentence (when necessary)