SENTENCE PATTERNS
Look at the 4 sentences which
comprise this paragraph.
1A
genome is all the genetic material in the
chromosomes of an organism. 2The
human genome includes about three billion base
pairs that make up human DNA. 3The Human
Genome Project, completed in 2003, was a 13year, international effort to identify the 20,00025,000 human genes and make them accessible
for further biological study. 4This research has
catalyzed biotechnology.
Sentences with complex details can be
broken down into basic elements.
KEY: Subject – verb – direct object or subject complement -- modifiers
1A
genome is all the genetic material in the chromosomes
of an organism.
2 The
human genome includes about three billion base pairs
that make up human DNA.
3 The
Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, was a
13-year, international effort to identify the 20,000-25,000
human genes and make them accessible for further
biological study.
4 This
research has catalyzed biotechnology.
These elements create 5 basic
patterns.
1. S-V: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 53 points.
2. S-V-DO: Researchers have found a cure for cancer.
3. S-LV-SC: A virus is a pathogen. (SCN)
All members are present. (SCA)
4. S-V-IO-DO: Jane’s boss offered her a raise.
5. S-V-DO-OC: I consider you my best friend. (OCN)
The women found the candidate’s language
offensive. (OCA)
3 additional patterns require adverb
complements.
• S-V-AC: I will lie down.
• S-V-DO-AC: Did you put the cake in the oven?
• S-LV-AC: My keys are on the kitchen counter.
1. S + V-int
• The intransitive action verb takes no direct
object.
• Even if the action verb is followed by a prepositional phrase, the verb is
still intransitive as long as it does not take a direct object.
• Ex:The children are sleeping.
Who is calling?
2. S + V + DO
The transitive action verb is followed by a direct
object.
Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation (NP2) because it is not the
same as the subject (NP1).
My brother is taking his wife on a cruise.
3. S + LV + SCN
The linking verb is followed by a noun that
functions as the subjective complement.
Note: The second noun, the subjective complement, is
the same as the subject (Mr. James = teacher).
3. S + LV + SCA
The verb of being is followed by an adjective that
functions as the subjective complement.
The subjective complement adjective may be a
prepositional phrase.
More Linking Verbs
• The linking verb may be a word similar to “be,” such
as “seem,” “appear,” “become,” or “looks.”
• Or, it may be a verb relating to the senses.
Grandma’s house always smelled like moth balls.
NP1
subject
LV
ADJ
subjective complement
The air feels wintry today.
NP1 LV
subject
ADJ
subjective complement
4. S + V + IO + DO
The action verb is followed by an indirect object
and then a direct object.
Note: The indirect object and the direct object each receive a
new numerical designation because each is different from the
other and both are different from the subject.
5. S + V + DO + DOCN
The action verb is followed by a direct object. The
direct object is followed by a noun functioning as an
objective complement.
Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical designation
(NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1). The third NP, the objective
complement, receives the same numerical designation as the direct object (NP2)
because it is the same as the direct object (Jacobsen = friend).
5. S + V + DO + DOCA
The action verb is followed by a direct object.
The direct object is followed by an adjective
functioning as an objective complement.
Note: The second NP, the direct object, receives a different numerical
designation (NP2) because it is not the same as the subject (NP1).