UNIT
32
Word order
• English has precise rules regarding syntax, so in most cases we cannot move a phrase or an adverb wherever we want to. As for the rules on the position of adjectives and adverbs see Units 10 and 11. • When deciding where to place a phrase in a sentence, remember you must never put anything between the main verb and the Direct or Indirect Object. For the position of the other phrases in a sentence look at the rules below this example. subject verb object rest of the sentence I
like
pizza
very much
(not: I like very much pizza)
Direct Object or Indirect Object • When there are both a direct and an indirect noun object you can choose between two structures: Verb + Indirect Object (IO) + Direct Object (DO)
Verb + Direct Object (DO) + TO + Indirect Object (IO)
I gave
I gave
John
an apple
an apple
to
John
• However, when the sentence has a noun and a pronoun, the pronoun always goes first. I gave
him
an apple
I gave
it
to
John
• When both the direct and indirect object are pronouns you must always use this order: verb + DO (Pronoun) + TO + IO (Pronoun) I gave it to him • After some verbs followed by Direct Object – like buy, get, find, book or make – we use the preposition FOR + Indirect Object Example: Mum will make us a cake. ➝ Mum will make a cake for us. Position of prepositional phrases after object • After the Object the very next prepositional phrase in a sentence usually refers to place. • Phrases and adverbs of time come at the end of the sentence, however (*) they can also be placed at the beginning when the sentence isn’t a question. prepositional phrases
subject
verb
Direct Object or Indirect Object
place and other phrases
time*
Tom
has
lunch
at school
every day.
My parents
often go
Did you
tell
He
wasn’t
The teacher
will give
We
went
to work by car Fred
about the plan
last night?
in the car with me. us a lot of homework
for tomorrow. to Greece for a holiday
in 2001.
• With more than one phrase related to place, time or other aspects, the order of the phrases is the following: I left my umbrella on a chair in the kitchen (both refer to place but the chair is smaller than the kitchen) What were you doing at 3 o’clock yesterday? (both refer to time but 3 o’clock is smaller than the whole day)
84