Category: Sentence Syntax

direct and indirect object examples Direct and indirect object
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Direct and indirect object

reshana

Direct and indirect object

The sentence formula 8 and 9 involves direct object and indirect object. It explains how to frame a sentence with a direct object and an indirect object. So let’s first see what is direct and indirect object.

Direct Object

The subject acts upon a thing and is called the DIRECT OBJECT. It receives the action of the verb. It is the noun or pronoun receiving the action. 

It answers the question “what” or “whom“. If nothing answers what or whom, there is no direct object. Direct objects can be noun, pronoun, phrases or clauses. Let’s see the formula.

Subject + verb + direct object(who or what)

First find the subject and verb(action word) in the sentence. 

Then as the question ‘whom‘ or ‘what‘ the verb is acting upon. Direct objects are mostly nouns, but it can also be a pronoun, phrase or clause.

The words in orange are subjects, blue are verbs and in pink are direct objects.

1. I found the book.

2. Sam took the pen.

3. Who made the pot?

4. You eat by yourself.

5. We designed the jewels.

6. They took the bus.

7. Who spilled the milk?

8. You should pass the ball.

9. The children eat ice cream.

10. The truck hit the wall.

11. She opened the packet.

12. I ate the burger.

13. She stole the watch. 

14. I bought a clock and sold a watch.

       (This sentence has two direct objects. The direct object for the verb bought is clock and the direct object for the verb sold is watch. ‘I’ is the subject.).

15. I caught the ball. 

16. Indians eat rice.

17. I love coffee.

18. She loves climbing the mountains.

19. Sarah paints a scenery.

20. My sister gifted  a pen.

21. I wrote the script.

22. I liked the profile.

23. I dropped the camera.

24. She spilled the milk. 

25. I filled the bucket.

Indirect Object

Indirect objects receive the action of the direct object. They are used for intransitive verbs and at times preceded by prepositions. An indirect object answers the questions of “for whom”, “to whom”, or “for what”. 

Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object.

1. I gave Sam the box.

Subject – I

Verb – gave

Direct object – the box

Indirect object – Sam

The question that should be asked for this sentence is, To whom did I give the box?

Answer: to Sam. So, Sam is the indirect object.

More examples of indirect objects.

Example

Direct Object

Indirect Object

Verb

I gave her his pen.

pen

her

gave

Sam ate his burger.

burger

his

ate

Sara gave him an invitation.

invitation

him

gave

You must tell the details to the professor.

the details

the professor

tell

Take his file. (No subject)

file

his

Take

I sent Sam a receipt.

receipt

Sam

sent

I have bought my husband a car.

a car

husband

bought

I paid Ralph the money.

money

Ralph

paid

I gave Paul the pillow.

pillow

Paul

gave

I filled him his bucket.

bucket

him

filled

The lecturer told us a story.

story

lecturer

told

Worksheet

Frame simple sentences with sentence formula Sentence Formula – Part 7
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 7

reshana

Sentence Formula Part 7

Simple verb structures

Hope you have gone through the first six formulas and it was useful. 

While learning a new language it might be quite easy to learn alphabets, words, etc. When it comes to framing sentences it is quite a task. 

But these formulas will be quite helpful for beginners and for those who are learning the language new. These are like Math formulas, where in case you struggle to speak or frame sentence you can recall the formula and build up a sentence. And, on the go, you will catch up fluency.

Sentence formula 7

make sentences

Let’s learn the formula 7. This is quite a simple formula where it is recommended for kindergarten or grade 1 students where they make a transition from words to simple sentences. 

The teacher can use this formula and aske the kids to frame sentences for all the objects, people, animal, birds, i.e., NOUNS around them. 

So the teacher should have taught nouns and verbs and then teach this formula to better understand the exercise.

Now coming to the formula:

Subject + verb

It’s quite simple right! Yes we can frame a sentence and speak or write with just a subject and a verb.

make sentences

Let’s see a few example sentences for the above formula.

Frame sentences wit a subject and a verb - part 7
Frame sentences wit a subject and a verb

Examples

Just think of a noun and and a related verb for the noun and frame a simple sentence. A few examples:

Always begin the sentence with a capital letter and end it in a full stop.

1. Tom is reading.

2. Predators kill.

3. The Sun is rising.

4. Peacocks dance.

5. I am praying.

6. The Moon glows.

7. The Moon is shining.

8. Dogs bark.

9. Lions roar.

10. Sam is sleeping.

11. We are studying.

12. They are playing.

13. Cats bite.

14. People are running.

15. The kid is going.

16. The baby is smiling.

17. Paul was dancing. 

18. Birds flew.

19. The egg is hatching.

20. The leopard ran.

The words in RED are subjects and the words in BLUE are the verbs.

Worksheet

Frame sentences with gerund Sentence Formula – Part 6
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 6

reshana

Make sentences with gerundial phrase.

want to speak fluent English? Train yourself more in framing sentences. This may not sound acceptable, but once you train yourself to frame flawless sentences, you can slowly achieve your fluency. 

For those who find it difficult, these formulas come in handy. You have to just remember the formulas and apply words in those places and speak. This is the 6th formula which we are going to see, and will be of great help to middle schoolers. 

After each grammar topic is taken, you should train more by framing sentences on that particular topic. As almost all grammar topics are interconnected, moving on to the next one without learning the first one, may lead to a confusion or improper understanding of the language. 

So, the teacher should ensure that this is done, i.e., enough practice is given through worksheets or activities and make the child understand the grammar concept and then move on to another.  

Formula 6:

It + be + (no use)etc + gerundial phrase.

A gerund, in simpler form, means adding ‘ing’ to the verb.

sleeping

talking

eating

watching etc.

We are going to start our sentence with an “It”, followed by ‘be verb’ and then a gerundial phrase.

Example:

It was fun talking to you.

Start your sentence with ‘It’, 

was – refers to the event that happened in the past tense. 

Adding “ing” to the verb makes it a gerund.

Here, its – talking

Gerundial phrase – talking to you.

Talking to you is a phrase. Since it has a gerund in it, it is a Gerundial phrase.

[[- A phrase is a group of words that has no subject or predicate.

– A phrase can either have a noun or a verb but not both. 

– A phrase cannot stand on its own.]]

Frame sentences without grammar mistakes with these formulas Sentence Formula – Part 5
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 5

reshana

Make sentence with an adjective and 'to' infinitive.

Alphabets form words, words form sentences, sentences are linked with linking words forming compound and complex sentences. Sentences form paragraphs and paragraphs form essays. 

As we have already discussed a lot of how important framing sentences in a child’s education while learning a language. If the child doesn’t learn it correctly in the primary and middle school level, he/she may find it extremely difficult in high school, college, interviews and in his/her job environment. He/ she may stammer a lot as the child did not master the basic skill of forming sentences. 

Let’s jump into formula No.5 without any delay.   

Sentence Formula 5:

It + be + adjective + 'to' infinitive.

This formula no. 5 is looking similar to Formula No.2. Let’s do a comparison.

Formula 2 is:

Subject + verb + Adjective + ‘to’ infinitive.

In formula 2, we start the sentence with a subject like Sara, book, carpet, cat, dog, pen, table etc. 

Example: This book is difficult to solve.

Subject: This book.

Be verb: is – used when the subject is singular and the event happens in the present tense.

Adjective: difficult. (Adjectives are describing nouns).

‘to’ infinitive: to solve. (When ‘to’ is followed by a verb, it is called a ‘to’ infinitive.

In formula 5, we are starting the sentence with “It”, followed by the “be verbs” (am, is was were, are), then an adjective and conclude with a “to” infinitive.

Start the sentence with 

It is (for events that happens in present tense), 

It was (for events that happens in past tense), 

It will be (for events that happens in future tense) or 

It may be (to speak of something which you are not sure of).

Adjective to be used are:

easy, difficult, hard, bad, cruel, impossible, possible. 

Worksheet

Sentence Formula - How to frame sentences? Sentence Formula – Part 4
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 4

reshana

Sentence formula -4

Make sentences

Make sentences with adjectives expressing emotion or desire.

A child excels in English or in any language he/she learns, once she masters the skill of framing sentences with the grammar topic or any new vocabulary word the child learns. But sometimes, a few students who are new to the language find it difficult to do so even after n times of practice. For them, they can try these formulas and just apply words and easily make sentences. They have to just remember the skeleton of the formula. 

Now we are going to have a look on Formula No. 4.

Sentence Formula 4:

Adjectives expressing emotion or desire.

Subject + verb + adjective + 'to' infinitive.

This formula looks familiar for those who have been going through all the formulas so far. 

Yes, it’s same as our formula no.2. The difference is that we were framing sentences with adjectives like, impossible, hard, easy, pleasant in formula no. 2. 

But, here we are going to practice with adjectives that express emotions or desire. The formula is the same. 

I want to differentiate it and show to have a clear idea, and so 2 different posts. 

What are the adjectives that express emotions or desire? 

Fear, scared, afraid, happy, sad, angry, patient, anxious, eager etc.

Example: He was desperate to go there. (DESIRE).

Subject: He

Be verb: was (Event happens in past tense, he refers to one person so singular)

desperate: adjective expressing desire.

‘to’ infinitive: to go (to followed by a verb is called ‘to’ infinitive).

conclude as – to go there/to go to the party etc. 

Worksheet

Frame sentences formula Sentence Formula – Part 3
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 3

reshana

Make sentence

Make sentence with an adjective.

Imagine we are going to learn a new language, guess what’s the most difficult part? Yes, framing sentences. We can somehow learn the new alphabets and the new vocabulary words everyday. But when time comes to make sentences to write and speak we struggle. Why is that? It is so because, each language has its own grammar rules which has to be followed for proper understanding of the language.  

Formulas are not just for Math, let’s also use it. It’s quite useful for beginners, primary and middle school students, for someone who is learning English for the first time and even for those who have just come to check whether these formulas are correct or not. Be it anyone, let’s give it a try, for if even any ‘one’ of you benefits, I’ll be the most happiest one. 

Sentence Formula 3

It + be + adjective + of + noun/pronoun + 'to' infinitive.

In our formula 3, we start the sentence with “It”, followed by the “be verbs” – (am, is, was, were are), then add an adjective + “of”, followed by a noun/pronoun and conclude with a “to” infinitive.

1. For this formula, we will be using only 2 be verbs, “IS, WAS“. This is because, after “It”, only these two be verbs can appear. 

2. Then, add an adjective according to your sentence of what you are trying to explain. After the adjective add an “of”, followed by a noun/pronoun.

3. The noun refers to the name of person, place, animal or thing. 

4. Pronoun is used in the place of noun, i.e., him, her, you, me, them.

5. Finally finish your sentence with a “to” infinitive. It refers to that after the word to a verb is added. Like, “to eat”, “to dig”, “to sleep”, “to wake”. This is called a to infinitive. 

Example:

“It is nice of you to share your food”.

1. Here, we start the sentence with “It”.

2. We use the be verb, “is”.

3. Our adjective is, “nice”. Adjectives are describing noun. In our sentence, instead of a noun we have used a pronoun, “you”.

4. After the adjective add the word “of”.

5. Add a noun or pronoun. Our pronoun here is “you”.

6.Add the “to infinitive“. Here, it is “to share”.

7. Complete it as “to share your food”.

Some more examples with the same adjective (NICE):

*  It is nice of you to bring a cake.

*  It is nice of you to take care of me.

*  It is nice of you to help me.

*  It is nice of you to wash the clothes/vessels.

*  It is nice of you to follow the procedure/rules.

*  It was nice of you to give me medicines.

*  It was nice of Sam to come to the party.

*  It was nice of Paul to show his project.

*  It was nice of them to play at the tournament.

*  It is nice of them to share their views.

The following adjectives can be used in this pattern:

brave, wrong, polite, nice, cruel, cowardly, wicked, silly, careless, foolish, unwise, stupid, clever, wise, good, kind, considerate, generous.

 Hope these example are useful.

Worksheet

How to frame or make sentences Sentence Formula – Part 2
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 2

reshana

Sentence syntax 2

Make sentences with impossible, hard, easy, difficult.

At school level, a child is trained to write small paragraphs or short stories or given a comprehension passage to improve his/her reading and writing practice. As they move to higher classes their level of writing goes to next stage where the sentence turn into complex and compound sentences. More activities are also done to improve speaking and writing like role plays, dramas, public speaking, sharing experiences etc. All these are done just to get a deeper knowledge about the rules of how to use the language in the correct way without any glitch while one talks or writes.

To achieve the desired results, the basic learning starts in primary where the child learns to frame sentences. So, the teacher should ensure that the child frames proper sentences after each grammar topic is taken. More worksheet and exercises should be given for practice. Without achieving this, if the child goes to the next grade, the child may find it difficult to cope up with the current syllabus as he/she is not thorough with the previous one. 

For those kids who find it difficult with framing sentences, these formulas may help, as they have a pattern and the child should just apply words in the place of the formula taught. Let’s move on quickly to formula No. 2.

How to use the words - impossible, hard, easy, difficult in a sentence?

This formula is suitable for students from grade 3 onwards as they would be introduced to “ADJECTIVES”. 

We are going to see how to frame sentences using adjectives “impossible, hard, easy, difficult, pleasant.

The formula is

Subject + verb + adjectives mentioned above + to infinitive.

Start your sentence with a Subject, followed by the adjectives given above (impossible, hard, easy, difficult, pleasant) and conclude with a “to infinitive”.

To infinitive:

-to is placed before the base form of the verb to form the -to infinitive.

to eat

to sleep.

For example,

The sweet is pleasant to eat. 

The sweet unpleasant to eat.

The subject here is ‘sweet’. The is the article. We are using ‘the’ as we are speaking about a specific sweet. Sweet is the subject, pleasant is the adjective and conclude the sentence with a “to infinitive”. Here it is “to eat”.

Worksheet

How to frame sentences in English? Sentence Formula – Part 1
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence Formula – Part 1

reshana

Sentence part 1:

How to start the sentence with 'there'?

All living organisms communicate with each other in their own ways including birds, animals etc. Humans communicate through languages. We are having various languages according to the region we live in. 

There are a set of rules to be followed to speak or write a particular language. In order to speak or write that language we have to master that language and practice it a lot to master it. 

For that purpose schools and colleges have been created to impart and expand our learning abilities for us to be successful in future. Only if we know a particular language we can further keep on learning and  understand what is being taught in colleges and universities. So at school level itself we should master the language. This helps us a lot in facing seminars, projects, assignments, group discussions, even simple examinations etc. 

There should be a proper correlation between what we think and what we speak or present.  Or else it would be total disaster. To avoid these let’s learn from basic. 

This sentence formula one is useful for primary students and beginners to help frame sentences at ease. Hope its helpful for teachers. I have attaches a pdf worksheet too, as practice makes a man perfect.

Our sentence formula 1 is:

There + be verb + Subject.

First let’s see what ‘be’ verbs are: 

am, is was, were, are.

am

is

was

were

are

Used when the subject is "I", i.e., when I talk about myself.

Used when the subject is singular and when the event happens in the present tense.

Used when the subject is singular and when the event happens in the past tense.

Used when the subject is plural and when the event happens in the past tense.

Used when the subject is plural and when the event happens in the present tense.

There + be verb + Subject.

This formula is beginners and primary students who are introduced to be verbs. It helps them frame sentences with be verbs. The teacher can use this formula for students who find it difficult to frame sentences or for all students indeed to form proper sentences.  

Like, how we learn formulas in Math and tables which we remember for a lifetime (which is because of repetition), we can adopt this in our English too for those who find it difficult to learn the language. Even if they forget while speaking they can just recall the formula and frame accordingly. 

In this formula, we start our sentence with “There”, followed by the be verbs and then a subject.

As given in the table above, the be verbs are applied according to the subject whether its singular or plural and whether the event happens in the past, present or future tense. 

So always remember while speaking or writing look for the SUBJECT and the TENSE and write accordingly.

For example, 

In the first sentence in the picture, 

“There is a bottle near my table”.

Bottle – singular. 

Event – present tense.

So, we use “is”.

Similarly examine for the other 4 sentences in the picture above. 

Start your sentence with ‘there’, use be verbs according to your sentence(depending on whether the event happens in past or present tense and whether the subject is singular or plural). Refer the table above.

 

Worksheet with answers

How to make sentences in English? Sentence syntax
Sentence Syntax · Writing skills

Sentence syntax

reshana

How to structure a sentence?

Forming proper sentences and incorporating them in both reading and writing is a crucial part, not only in English, but in any new language you learn. One minor mistake may change the entire meaning of the sentence and we may end up in an embarrassing situation. 

These sentence formulas are quite simple to remember for beginners, starting from primary students who have started their journey from words to sentences, or for people who are trying to learn English from scratch as a new language.

Hope you find this useful and helpful.

Sentence Syntax