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Sentence Structure: Six Rules Resource
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RULE 1:

Declarative sentences convey information. In most cases the verb follows the subject. Here are three patterns you can use to write declarative sentences:

Declarative Sentence = Subject + Verb + Direct ObjectNot: Mexico we visited.
But: We visited Mexico.

Not: Red coats wore the British soldiers.
But: The British soldiers wore red coats.
Declarative Sentence = Subject + Verb + ModifiersNot: The laborers long and hard toiled.
But: The laborers toiled long and hard.
Declarative Sentence = Subject + Verb + Subject Complement Not: He the chief of police is.
But: He is the chief of police.
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 1



RULE 2A: 

In general, use inverted word order in questions by placing the verb before the subject. Here are three patterns:

Question = Verb (to be) + SubjectNot: He is the star?
But: Is he the star?

Not: Red coats wore the British soldiers.
But: The British soldiers wore red coats.
Question = Helping Verb (future) + Subject + Simple form To make future tense questions, place the helping verb first, then the subject, and then the simple form.

Not: Uncle Al will arrive soon?
But: Will Uncle Al arrive soon?
Question = Helping Verb (simple past) + Subject + Simple Form To make past tense questions, place the helping verb first, then the subject, and then the simple form.

Not: Aunt Harriet did arrive yesterday?
But: Did Aunt Harriet arrive yesterday?
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 2A



RULE 2B: 

Questions using Helping verb + Subject + Present Participle and Helping verb + Subject + Past Participle

In general, use inverted word order in questions by placing the verb before the subject. Here are three patterns:

Question = Helping Verb (present continuous) + Subject + Present Participle To make present continuous questions, place the helping verb first, then the subject, and then the present participle.

Not: They are studying Chinese acupuncture?
But: Are they studying Chinese acupuncture?
Question = Helping Verb (past continuous) + Subject + Present Participle To make past continuous questions, place the helping verb first, then the subject, and then the present participle.

Not: You were going to work when I saw you?
But: Were you going to work when I saw you?
Question = Helping Verb (past perfect) + Subject + Past Participle To make past perfect questions, place the helping verb first, then the subject, and then the past participle.

Not: You have known Ali for several years?
But: Have you known Ali for several years?
Simple FormPresent ParticiplePast TensePast Participle
studystudyingstudiedstudied
movemovingmovedmoved
knowknowingknewknown
gogoingwentgone
CAUTION: 

Use the simple form, not use the past tense or the past participle in past tense questions.

Not: Did your family moved here from Toronto?
But: Did your family move here from Toronto?
PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 2B



RULE 3:

Use regular, not inverted, word order in subordinate clauses with what, where, when, how, or why.

Not: Emily did not know what was she going to do.
But: Emily did not know what she was going to do.

Not: Marisol didn't know why was the train late.
But: Marisol didn't know why the train was late.

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 3



RULE 4:

Declarative sentences must have a subject and a verb. Sometimes the words it and there are used as subjects in declarative sentences.

Not: Was a dark and gloomy day.
But: It was a dark and gloomy day.

Not: Was a huge hole where a house once stood.
But: There was a huge hole where a house once stood.

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 4



RULE 5:

Do not use pronouns to repeat the subject of a sentence.

Not:The steel workers they went on strike.
But:The steel workers went on strike.

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 5



RULE 6:

Do not put the direct object of a sentence at the beginning and then use a pronoun to repeat it.

Not:Mathematics some people find it difficult.
But:Some people find mathematics difficult.

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 6








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