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 Object Not: 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 + Modifiers Not: 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) + Subject Not: 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 Form
Present Participle
Past Tense
Past Participle
study
Studying
studied
studied
move
Moving
moved
moved
know
Knowing
knew
known
go
Going
went
gone
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.
2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education