BASIC SENTENCE PATTERN (part 2) Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)

b)      Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)

We saw that a complete sentence has two basic parts:

1.        subject             (S)

2.       verb                 (V)

Sometimes, a sentence has these two parts but it looks incomplete. Look at the following sentences:

1.        The policemen caught …..

2.       All students carried …..

3.       His sister sold …..

Now, see how these incomplete sentences can be complete. To do this, you must add an object. Look at the following sentences:

1.        The policemen caught the robbers.

2.       All students carried their chairs.

3.       His sister sold nasi lemak.

Notice that the object usually comes after the verb. The object is a noun or a word used in place of a noun.

EXERCISE C

Underline the objects in the following sentences.

1. The babies drank milk.
2. Everyone watches the game.
3. My mother cooked rice.
4. He caught a rabbit.
5. Mr. Johnson wrote a letter.
6. We cut the grass.
7. The flood destroyed the houses.
8. I studied languages.
9. Ali’s sister washed the clothes.
10. Puan Tina bought vegetables, meat and fish.

EXERCISE D

Complete the following sentences with suitable objects. Use only nouns. Use ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ where necessary.

SUBJECT	VERB	OBJECT
1. The pupils	asked
2. She	ate
3. Muthu	broke
4. We	finished
5. The postman	delivered
6. They	clean
7. You	take
8. The lecturer	taught
9. That woman	found
10. I	sing