Lesson 2 · Lesson guide
Word Order: Subject, Verb, Object
Hello, my dear student!
Hello! In Uzbek we usually put the verb at the end: “Men kitob oʻqiyman.” Word for word, that is “I book read.” English does not work like this.
An English sentence has a fixed order: first the subject (who), then the verb (does), then the object (what). “I read books.” If you change the order, the meaning changes or the sentence breaks.
Today you will learn this order and the places for the small extras: always and often, very much, at home, every day. Examiners notice word order at once, in Writing and in Speaking, so this lesson pays back quickly.
See you in the exercises,Your teacher
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The English order
Most English sentences follow one pattern. Learn it once and use it everywhere.
Step 1
Subject + Verb + Object
The subject does the action, the verb is the action, the object receives it. The verb comes second, not last.
- She reads books.
- The students passed the exam.
- Our teacher explains the rules.
Step 2
Then place, then time
After the object: where, then when. A time phrase can also go at the very start.
- We met Ali at the library yesterday.
- Yesterday we met Ali.
Step 3
Adjective before the noun
An adjective goes before its noun, like in Uzbek: a red car, an important exam.
- She bought a new laptop.
- It is an important exam.
Remember!
Subject → Verb → Object → Place → Time. Do not put anything between the verb and its object.
Where do adverbs go?
Short adverbs have their own places. These three rules cover most sentences.
How often
Before the main verb
always, usually, often, sometimes, never go before the main verb.
- I often visit my grandparents.
- She never drinks coffee.
With be
After am / is / are
With the verb be, the adverb comes after it.
- He is always late.
- They are usually busy.
How much, how well
After the object
very much, very well, carefully come after the object, never between the verb and the object.
- I like football very much.
- She speaks English very well.
Mistakes I correct every day
Not: I English study every day.Say: I study English every day.
The verb comes second, before the object.
Not: I like very much football.Say: I like football very much.
Nothing goes between the verb and its object.
Not: She always is late.Say: She is always late.
With be, the adverb comes after the verb.
Not: We go every day to school.Say: We go to school every day.
Place first, then time.
A note from your teacher
Most of these come from Uzbek word order. Read each one aloud in the right order.
In the Speaking test
- Examiner
What do you usually do at weekends?
- Laylo
I usually meet my friends in the city centre on Saturday. On Sunday I always help my mother at home.
- Examiner
Do you like sport?
- Laylo
Yes, I like tennis very much. I play it at the sports centre twice a week.
Every sentence follows the same pattern: who, does, what, where, when. Clear order makes you sound fluent.
Check yourself
Put in order: football / I / play / on Sundays.
Where does “often” go? She ___ is ___ tired.
Correct it: I speak well English.
Now it’s your turn!
8 short parts, each a little harder than the one before. Take your time: mistakes are how we learn.
— Your teacher