subject + verb + objectUse this pattern for many action verbs: the subject does the action, and the object comes after the verb.
Simple Sentence
A1A simple sentence has one complete idea: subject + predicate. In basic English statements, put the subject first, then the verb, then any object or extra detail.
What you'll learn
- Put the subject before the verb in a basic statement.
- Place the object after the verb when the verb needs one.
- Put the description after am, is, or are.
- Check that the sentence gives one complete main idea.
- Add place or time details after the core sentence.
Structure
subject + be + complementWith be, put the description after am, is, or are.
subject + verb/be (+ object/complement) + time/placeBuild the core sentence first. Then add place or time at the end.
Build a sentence
Subject
Predicate word
Annadrinkstea
Anna drinks tea.
Put the subject first. With an action verb, the object comes after the verb.
When to use
Basic statement
Use one simple sentence to say one fact, action, or state: Maria cooks dinner. Tom is tired.
Action + thing
Use subject + verb + object when someone does something to something: Anna reads emails. Leo drinks water.
Be + description
Use be + complement to give a name, job, place, or quality: Lisa is a doctor. The office is quiet.
Extra detail
After the core sentence, add time or place: Omar works at home. Nina studies every evening.
Markers
every dayat homein the officeon Mondaysin the morning
Common mistakes
Wrong
Likes Anna coffee.
Correct
Anna likes coffee.
In a basic statement, start with the subject, then the verb.
Wrong
Tom coffee likes.
Correct
Tom likes coffee.
In a simple statement, the object comes after the verb.
Wrong
Works every day.
Correct
Lisa works every day.
A complete sentence needs a subject and a predicate.
Wrong
My brother.
Correct
My brother is at home.
A noun phrase alone is not a complete sentence. Add a verb part.
Wrong
Anna every day drinks tea.
Correct
Anna drinks tea every day.
Keep the core subject + verb + object together, then add the time detail.
Common misconceptions
❝ One word can be a full simple sentence in normal basic writing. ❞
For basic sentence building, a simple sentence needs a full subject and predicate: Tom runs. She is ready.
❝ If all the words are there, their order does not matter much. ❞
In English, word order carries meaning. Basic statements need a stable order: subject first, then verb.
Skills in this rule (5)
SUBJECT_THEN_VERBw5Put the subject before the verb in a basic sentence
In a basic English statement, name the person or thing first, then say the action or state. Start with a clear subject, not the verb.
ADD_OBJECT_AFTER_VERBw5Put the object after the verb when the verb needs one
With verbs like like, eat, or watch, say the action first and the thing affected after it. Do not place the object before the verb in a basic sentence.
ADD_COMPLEMENT_AFTER_BEw4Put the description after be
After am, is, or are, add a noun or adjective that completes the meaning. The description comes after be, not before it.
COMPLETE_ONE_MAIN_IDEAw4Build one complete sentence with one main idea
A simple sentence needs one full idea with a subject and a predicate. One word or a loose phrase is not enough.
ADD_TIME_PLACE_AT_ENDw3Add time or place details in a natural position
After the main sentence, add place or time details like at home, in the office, or every day. Keep the core subject + verb part together first.