Common Sentence Patterns in English and How to Identify Them

Sentence patterns provide the basic blueprint for how sentences are formed in the English Language. Once you learn how they work, you’ll find it easier to write with clarity, speak fluently, analyse texts effectively, and perform better in exams like WAEC, NECO, IELTS, and TOEFL.

This guide explains the most common sentence patterns in English using real-life examples. It also teaches you how to identify each pattern so that you can use them confidently in your own writing and speaking.

What Exactly Are Sentence Patterns?

Sentence patterns are structural arrangements that show how different elements of a sentence (the subject, verb, object, or complement) fit together.

Every complete sentence in English has at least two main parts: a subject, which tells us who or what the sentence is about, and a predicate, which tells us what is said about the subject (usually including the verb).

Recognising these structures can help improve your grammar, avoid errors, and form correct and varied sentences in English.

The 7 Most Common Sentence Patterns in English

Let’s explore the seven patterns one by one, using simple examples and clear identification tips.

Pattern 1: Subject + Verb (S + V)

The most basic type of sentence has just a subject and a verb. This means someone or something is doing an action, and that’s all. There is no object receiving the action in this kind of sentence.

For example, in the sentence “Birds fly,” the subject is “birds”, and the verb is “fly.” Similarly, “The baby cried” has “baby” as the subject and “cried” as the verb.

To identify this pattern, ask yourself: who is doing something, and what are they doing?

Pattern 2: Subject + Verb + Object (S + V + O)

In this pattern, the sentence still begins with a subject and a verb, but this time, it also includes an object, which receives the action of the verb.

Take the sentence “She wrote a letter.” Here, “she” is the subject, “wrote” is the verb, and “a letter” is the object. The action of writing is directed at something.

To spot this pattern, look for the person doing the action, the action itself, and what or who the action affects.

Pattern 3: Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement (S + LV + SC)

Sometimes, the verb in a sentence does not express an action but rather serves as a link between the subject and additional information about the subject. In this pattern, the verb is called a linking verb, and the word that comes after it is known as a subject complement.

For example, in the sentence “The sky is blue,” the subject is “the sky”, the verb is “is”, and “blue” is the complement describing the subject. Other common linking verbs include seem, become, appear, look, and feel.

To identify this structure, check if the verb is linking the subject to a description or identity rather than showing action.

Pattern 4: Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (S + V + IO + DO)

This pattern occurs when a sentence has two objects: one that receives something (indirect object) and one that is the thing being given or acted upon (direct object).

Consider the sentence “She gave me a gift.” In this case, “she” is the subject, “gave” is the verb, “me” is the indirect object (who received something), and “a gift” is the direct object (what was given).

A good way to recognise this pattern is to ask: To whom or for whom is the action done? And what is being given or done?

Pattern 5: Subject + Verb + Object + Object Complement (S + V + O + OC)

This pattern involves a subject and a verb, followed by an object and a complement that either renames or describes that object.

Take the sentence “They elected him president.” The subject is “they”, the verb is “elected”, the object is “him”, and the complement “president” gives us more information about him.

If the sentence has a structure where the object is followed by a word that explains or renames it, then this is likely the pattern you’re seeing.

Pattern 6: Subject + Verb + Adverbial (S + V + A)

This pattern includes an adverbial, a word or phrase that gives extra information about the action, such as where, when, or how something happens.

In the sentence “He stays here,” the subject is “he”, the verb is “stays”, and the word “here” is the adverbial telling us the location.

You can recognise this pattern when a sentence ends with a time, place, or manner expression that adds context to the verb.

Pattern 7: Inverted Sentences (Verb + Subject or Other Inversions)

In this pattern, the usual subject-verb order is reversed. This often happens in sentences that begin with “there” or “here”, in questions, or in literary or formal expressions.

For example, “There is a book on the table” begins with the verb “is” before the subject “a book”. Similarly, “Where are the students?” places the verb “are” before the subject “students.”

To identify an inverted sentence, look carefully at the structure and locate the real subject, even if it does not appear at the beginning.

Practice Questions

Test your understanding by identifying the sentence pattern in each of the following:

1. The boy looks happy.
2. They gave her flowers.
3. Here are the results.
4. He speaks loudly.
5. She cooks.
6. We made him captain.
7. The students answered the question.

Take a moment to think about what each sentence includes (a subject, verb, object, complement, adverbial, or inversion) and then match it to one of the patterns you’ve just learned.

Wrapping Up

Understanding sentence patterns is one of the most practical tools you can have as a student, writer, or English learner. Once you recognise these structures in everyday writing, you’ll become more confident, more accurate, and more expressive in your use of the language.

The more you practise these patterns, the easier it will be to spot errors and construct strong, correct sentences.