Five Basic Sentence Patterns

These are the Five Basic Sentence Types used in Standard English:

Type I: Subject (NP¹) + Main Verb Phrase (Intransitive)

Type II: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Be-verb) + Adverb Phrase (of time/place)

Type III: Subject (NP¹)  + MVP (Linking Verb) + Adjective Phrase

Type IV: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Linking Verb) + Nominal Subject Complement (NP¹)

Type V: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Transitive verb) + Direct Object (NP²)

Type I: Subject (NP¹) + Main Verb Phrase (Intransitive)

                        Polly laughs.

                        The kitten is sleeping.

Type II: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Be-verb) + Adverb Phrase (of time/place)

My turn is next.

                        The bear was in the stream.

                       

Type III: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Linking Verb) + Adjective Phrase as Complement

                        That pie is wonderful.

                        Sarah is sad.

Type IV: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Linking Verb) + Noun Phrase as Complement (NP²)

                        Ivy was a graduate student.

                        Everyone is becoming an expert.

Type V: Subject (NP¹) + MVP (Transitive verb) + Direct Object (NP²)

                        Fred shot a zombie.

                        Ivy loves pie.