UNIT VII

PATTERNS

A pattern is a model we follow to write a sentence. In English we can find 7
patterns.

I
a) S + VC + CS

Examples: - Charles is a teacher (noun)


- Daniel is handsome (Adj.)


b) S + VC + Adjunct

Examples: - We are here


- They are in class


II
S + VI + (adjunct)

Examples: - Birds fly


- People walk everyday



Noun
Adj.
S VC CS
S VC CS
S VC Adjunct
S VI Adjunct
S VI
S VC Adjunct
III
S + VT + DO

Examples: - I like apples


- I love swimming

IV
S + VT + DO + IO

Example: - I gave a house to my mother


V
S + VT + IO + DO
Example: - I gave my mother a house



VI
S + VT + DO + CO

Examples: - I consider Nancy intelligent



- The class elected Mary president


VII
There + V be + S + Adjunct

Examples: - There is a book on the table
S VT DO
S VT DO
S VT DO IO
S VT IO DO
S VT DO CO
S VT DO CO
there V be S adjunct

- There were some flowers on the desk


- S: Subject
- VC: Copulative verb
- VT: Transitive verb
- VI: Intransitive verb
- CO: Complement of the object
- CS: Complement of the subject
- Adjunct: Adverb of time, place or manner
- DO: Direct Object
- IO: Indirect object

* Copulative verbs express condition or state. These verbs link the subject to a
noun, pronoun or an adjective that describes or modifies it. The word that is linked to
the subject is called subject complement. Some common copulative verbs are: look,
seem, turn, taste, grow, remain, smell, feel, stay, sound, etc.

* Transitive verbs need a direct object
* Intransitive verbs can stand alone

- Important to know:
- Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive.
Example: I closed the door/ the door closed
- Some transitive verbs can have their objects left out when the meaning is clear from
the context
Example: He has smoked (cigarettes) since he was 12

* A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive
verb in an active sentence. It answers the questions what? or whom? About the
transitive verb.
* Indirect objects are usually placed directly before the direct object. They
usually answer the questions "to what/whom?" or "for what/whom?".
there V be S adjunct

Exercises: Identify the patterns in these sentences:
1. The author is our guest
2. The advantages and disadvantages of different systems will be discussed
3. There will be a workshop this morning
4. You can move the king in any direction
5. I will visit you tomorrow


References
Leech and Svartvik (1993). A Communicative grammar of English
http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/course/sentence/2_2d.htm
http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/course/speech/1_3b.htm