Word Order in English

Verb + Object

The supreme common order of words in sentences is as follows:
Subject + Verb + Object

Examples:

·         Ali speaks English.

·         Muneer reads the newspaper.

 

Place & Time

In English, the place is generally mentioned before the time.

Examples:

·         We go to the supermarket every Saturday.(NOT: We go every Saturday to the supermarket)

·         Ali has lived in London for 10 years.(NOT: Ali has lived for 10 years in London)

 

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency such as never, always, sometimes, rarely, often, etc. generally go before the verb.

Examples:

·         Ali often goes shopping.

·         We never gamble.

·         We always sleep early.

However, they go after the verb, with the verb to be.

Examples:

·         She is rarely late.

·         She is never home before dark.

They can also go between two verbs.