Mobile translator of phrases and sentences. How to construct a sentence in English

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English grammar can often seem strange. So many rules for writing sentences and almost as many exceptions to those rules can drive even native speakers crazy. Although, mostly, to a greater extent, English sentences are built according to a similar structure. Follow our simple tips, which will certainly help you put words into sentences much easier.

1. Observe the order of words in a sentence. As a rule, in the case of an affirmative it is a subject, predicate, object, and for an interrogative: an interrogative pronoun (who, what, why), auxiliary verb(to be, do, have), subject, predicate, minor members.

• Jane crossed the street. – Jane crossed the street.

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In this sentence, the subject is Jane, the predicate is crossed, and the object is the street. To make it easy for you to remember this simple diagram, try to compose several sentences of this kind, and make the subject someone you know, thus trying to say in English what actions he performs.

2. The members of a sentence are not always represented by one word. The subject, predicate or object is sometimes expressed in more than one word, so look at the structure of the sentence rather than each word individually to find the meaning.

• People who eat a lot get fatter and fatter. -People who eat a lot become fatter and fatter.

In this sentence the subject is “people who eat a lot.” We call a subject consisting of several words a “subject phrase.” Therefore, when translating sentences into Russian, try to find the subject and predicate - this will make it easier to understand its meaning.

3. B English two types of add-ons. Sometimes a sentence contains two complements at once: direct (direct), if it has a direct connection with the subject (what?), and indirect (to whom?), if its connection with the subject is weaker.

• He bought some sweets for his children. – he bought some sweets for his children.

In this sentence, “sweets” (what?) is a direct object, and “his children” (to whom?) is an indirect object and is usually accompanied by a preposition and completes the sentence.

• He bought his children some sweets.

In this sentence, the direct and indirect objects have changed places. If the indirect object is used first, it no longer needs a preposition.

4. But not all proposals are so simple. As in Russian, English also has Compound sentences, consisting of two or more simple sentences, each of which is constructed according to a specified pattern. The clauses that make up a complex sentence are joined to each other by a conjunction.

• I bought a dress and my friend bought a skirt. – I bought a dress, and my friend bought a skirt.

Here is an example of a complex sentence consisting of two simple ones, each of which is constructed according to the scheme: subject + predicate + object.

5. Learn exceptions to the rules. There are many different sentence structures in which sentences are constructed slightly differently. Learn to compose not only narrative, but also interrogative, exclamatory sentences, etc. – the English language is full of surprises and secrets, which need to be studied consistently and constantly, then the desired result will be achieved.

On the one hand, composing sentences in English is not difficult. But on the other hand, in order for the composed sentences to be correct and understandable to the interlocutor from a grammatical and syntactic point of view, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances. The most important thing is the understanding that it is unacceptable to compose sentences in English according to the same principles as happens in Russian.

The systems of case endings in the above-mentioned languages ​​are developed to completely different degrees, and therefore the meaning of the statement depends on different factors. In English this system endings are poorly developed, which cannot be said about our native language. In the Russian language, it is the endings that convey the main connections between the individual components of the utterance - words; accordingly, the order of the latter does not play a special role and for this reason can easily be changed. In the English language, everything happens the other way around: the system of endings is extremely poorly developed, so the meaning conveyed in the statement depends on the word order. First of all, this provision applies to non-prepositional cases of using nouns. For this reason, word order in English sentences is rigid. Let us consider the described phenomenon using specific examples. For the purposes of this article, we will take only a narrative English sentence as a basis.

1. The farmer invited the agronomist. - The farmer invited the agronomist. = The farmer invited the agronomist. = The farmer invited an agronomist. = The farmer invited the agronomist. = The farmer invited the agronomist. = The farmer invited the agronomist.
2. The agronomist invited the farmer. - The agronomist invited the farmer. = The farmer was invited by the agronomist. = The agronomist invited the farmer. = The agronomist invited the farmer. = The agronomist invited the farmer. = The agronomist invited the farmer.

The above examples clearly demonstrate that when the order of words in an English statement changes, the meaning of the sentence changes. This happens because the case of a prepositional noun is indicated only by its place: the subject precedes the predicate, and the direct object comes after it. If these nouns are swapped, then, accordingly, their roles as members of the sentence will change (compare examples 1 and 2 - the object and the subject change places).

In a simple unexpanded declarative sentence, the subject comes first and the predicate follows. If such a sentence is extended by an object, then it takes place after the predicate. Definitions always take place before (or after) those nouns that they describe or characterize. They do not in any way affect the general fixed order of words within this particular utterance. Circumstances can take place either after the object or before the subject at the very beginning of the sentence. Let us explain what has been said with specific examples.

1. The snow melts down. - The snow is melting (subject + predicate).
2. This dirty snow melts down. - This dirty snow is melting (definition + subject + predicate).
3. This dirty snow melts down quickly. - This dirty snow is melting quickly (definition + subject + predicate + adverbial).
4. This dirty snow melts down quickly in the sun. = In the sun this dirty snow melts down quickly. - This dirty snow melts quickly in the sun. = In the sun, this dirty snow melts quickly (definition + subject + predicate + circumstance 1 + circumstance 2; circumstance 2 + definition + subject + predicate + circumstance 1).

The word order discussed in the previous part of this article is direct. In a number of types of sentences, this order can be inversion or, in other words, reverse. With inversion, part of the predicate (and only in some cases the entire predicate) takes its place before the subject. Typically, inversion occurs in interrogative sentences, but there are several types narrative sentences, which are also characterized by reverse word order:

1. When using “there is” or “there are” constructions in sentences, for example: There are many fresh vegetables in this salad. - This salad contains a lot of fresh vegetables.
2. When using the words “either, so, neither” at the beginning of a sentence, for example: “Barbara and her husband fry turkey cutlets tonight.” - “So do I.” - “Barbara and her husband will fry turkey cutlets tonight.” - "Me too".
3. When placing the adverbial “here” at the beginning of a sentence, when the subject is expressed not by a pronoun, but by a noun, for example: Here is his new house! - Here is his new home!
4. When placing the author’s words that introduce direct speech, after this direct speech, for example: “Don`t touch her spectacles!” said John. - “Don’t touch her glasses!” - said John.
5. When using adverbs hardly, rarely, never, etc. at the beginning of a sentence, for example: Never will your sister swim well! - Your sister will never be a good swimmer!

When learning a foreign language, it is not enough to memorize new vocabulary. The next important step is to turn the learned words into meaningful statements. In order for them to convey to the listener the information that the speaker wants to convey, it is necessary to correctly approach the composition of sentences in English. One of the existing problems seems to be the order of words in English statements, which often has nothing in common in their Russian counterparts - translations. In English, word order is not free, or, to put it even more precisely, it is quite strictly fixed.

Placing any member of a sentence in first place has little effect on general meaning English saying, but introduces a certain new emphasis into it - highlighting main idea, which the speaker plans to convey to others. The order of the members of an English sentence is fixed and dictated by very specific rules. Schematically, a common English sentence can be represented as follows (naturally, in real speech, some members can easily be absent; their number in the example is not regulated by anything, except for the intention of showing their location):

• circumstance (= adverb) - (modifier = adjective) + (subject = noun, pronoun) – predicate (= verb) – object (object = pronoun, noun) – circumstance (= adverb), for example: That autumn the above mentioned person hunted ducks very often. - That autumn the above-mentioned man hunted ducks very often.

English sentences are two-part in nature, which means that a subject and a predicate are always present in them. Russian monosyllabic sentences are not applicable to English. English adverbials can take place both at the very beginning and at the very end of a sentence. Subjects and objects can be preceded by definitions. If there is an object in a sentence, it usually follows directly after the predicate, for example:

• It's windy. - It's windy. (Here in English version we have subject + predicate).
• It was getting colder. – It was getting colder. (In the English version, subject + predicate).
• It`s cold and sunny today. – It’s cold and sunny today. (In the English version, subject + 2 predicates + temporary circumstance).
• Jane bought a beautiful picture there. – Jane bought a beautiful painting there. (In the English version, subject + predicate + object with a definition + adverbial place).
• The old hunter lived alone. – old hunter lived alone. (In the English version we have definition + subject + predicate + circumstance of the manner of action).

If there are several objects in an English sentence, then they will be located in in a certain order: first an indirect object (to whom? what?), then a direct object (what? whom?) and only then a prepositional object (how? for what?, etc.), for example:

• His cousin brought them some big shells from the beach. - His cousin I brought them several large shells from the beach. (Here the subject with the attribute “my cousin” precedes the predicate “brought”, and after the predicate first comes the indirect object “them”, and then the direct object with the attribute “some big shells”, and then the adverbial “from the beach” , which can just as easily be placed at the very beginning of the sentence: From the beach his cousin brought them some big shells).
• Elisabeth gave her colleagues some interesting magazines for reading. – Elizabeth gave her colleagues several interesting magazines read. (Here, after the predicate “gave”, an indirect object with the definition “her colleagues” follows each other, then a direct object with the definition “some interesting magazines” and then the prepositional object “for reading”).

The composition of narrative sentences was discussed above. If the statement contains any question, then it will be constructed somewhat differently. At the beginning of interrogative sentences, corresponding interrogative words, as well as auxiliary verbs, may appear. In questions different types The word order will also be different.

In general questions, the auxiliary verb comes first, and then the word order is maintained, as in a regular narrative statement. The verb “be” does not require an auxiliary verb to form the interrogative form, for example:

• Is Barbara from Berlin? - Yes, she is. – Barbara from Berlin? - Yes.
• Is her neighbor a pediatrician? – No, he is not. – Is her neighbor a pediatrician? - No.
• Did he drink his tea? – Yes, he did. – Did he drink his tea? - Yes.
• Does Ann study Spanish? – No, she does not. – Anne studies Spanish? - No.

In special English questions, the main purpose is to find out certain details or particulars about something. Such questions are composed using special question words or groups of words, from which it becomes clear which member of the sentence is being asked this question. If the question word refers to the subject of the statement, then the word order remains exactly the same as in a similar sentence of a narrative nature, for example:

• Where is Barbara from? – Where is Barbara from?
• What is her neighbor? – Who is her neighbor by profession?
• What did Robert drink? – What did Robert drink?
• Who studies Spanish? – Who studies Spanish? (Here we have a question for the subject).
• How long were you there? – How long were you there?
• How many books did John read? – How many books has John read?
• How old is Mary? – How old is Mary?
• Whom have your children seen in the garden? – Who did your children see in the garden?
• What color is Elisabeth`s new car? – What color is Elizabeth’s new car?

IN alternative issues the opponent is asked to make a certain choice. The order of words in them is the same as in general questions, for example:

• Is Elisabeth`s new car yellow or green ? – Is Elizabeth’s new car yellow or green?
• Are they going to buy apples or pears? – Are they going to buy apples or pears?

The last type English questions are dividing. Their main part is an affirmation or denial, and in the second part the question itself is asked directly, the structure of which necessarily contains an auxiliary verb and a pronoun. If in the first part we have a statement, then in the second there is an additional particle not. If there is a negation in the first part, then not is absent in the second part. Such questions are used when you want to get confirmation from your interlocutor of the thoughts being expressed, for example.

Correct construction of sentences in English is impossible without knowledge of the basic laws of the formation of their structure. So, in the Russian language, to describe a situation, it is enough to take the words involved in it (names of concepts, objects, etc.) and connect them with each other using endings formed by declension in cases and numbers. However, the English language is devoid of such endings, and therefore a correct description of the situation can only be achieved if words are arranged in a certain way in sentences.

Simple sentences and their classification

Simple English sentences are divided into two types - common and common. The first ones consist only of a subject and a predicate. In this case, it is important that the subject is in first place and the predicate in second. For example: “The bus stopped.”

The second type of simple sentences, in addition to the main members, involves the inclusion of secondary ones (addition, definition, circumstance). Constructing sentences in English using minor members allows you to clarify the main situation. For example: “The yellow bus stopped at the station.” In this case the first minor member sentences (yellow) acts as a definition and explains the subject (the bus), and the second is an adverbial circumstance (at the station) and refers to the predicate (stopped).

construction scheme

As mentioned above, the endings in English words remain unchanged, so each word must be in the strictly designated place for it (this is called direct word order). Otherwise, the essence of the sentence will be distorted, and the person who reads it will receive incorrect, sometimes even opposite, information. And if in Russian we can say: “I went to the cinema yesterday,” “I went to the cinema yesterday,” or “Yesterday I went to the cinema,” then the existing sentence patterns in English do not allow this.

Whereas in Russian the essence of the situation will be clear, even if the words are swapped, in English everything is different. For example, regardless of whether we say in Russian “Jack hit Jim” or “Jim hit Jack,” the information will be received correctly. But in English, two sentences such as “Jack hit Jim” and “Jim hit Jack” have the opposite meaning. The first translates to "Jack hit Jim" and the second to "Jim hit Jack." To avoid such misunderstandings, it is necessary to construct sentences in English according to the following scheme: put the subject in first place, the predicate in second, the complement in third, and the adverbial in fourth. For example: “We do our work with pleasure.” It is also acceptable to place adverbs of place and time before the subject, for example: “At the moment I am cooking dinner.”

Negative sentences with not

Negative sentences in English have the following structure:

1. Subject.
2. The beginning of the predicate.
3. Negative particle not.
4. The ending of the predicate.
5. The nominal part of the predicate.

Examples include the following negative sentences in English: “I'm not reading the book” or “I have not seen Kelly in a while.” I haven't seen Kelly in a while."

If negative sentences use verbs in Present Simple or Past Simple, then they are reduced to the form “do/does/did + main form”. For example, “I do not like mice,” “She does not need help,” or “Steven did not look tired.”

Negative sentences using negative words

In English, the negative type can be expressed not only using the particle not, but also in another way. It's about about constructing a construction containing negative words, which include the following: nobody (nobody), never (never), nothing (nothing), none (nothing), nowhere (nowhere).

For example: “Nobody wanted to bring chair.” It is worth noting that in English one sentence cannot contain both the particle not and a negative word. Thus, the phrase “I know nothing” is translated into English as “I know nothing” and in no case “I do not know nothing.”

Interrogative sentences

Interrogative sentences can be presented in the form of general and special questions. Thus, general questions require a “yes/no” answer. For example: “Did you like the book?” (“Did you like the book?”) or “Have you ever been in the Paris?” (“Have you ever been to Paris?”). As for special questions, it may be necessary to compose sentences in English of this type when it is necessary to obtain more specific information on a given question - color, time, name, object, distance, etc. For example: “What is your favorite movie?” (“What’s your favorite movie?”) or “How long is the flight to Prague?” (“How long is the flight to Prague?”).

In the case of expressing the predicate with the verb to have or to be, general questions are constructed as follows: first the predicate, and then the subject. In the case when the predicate includes a modal or it is placed before the subject. In the case of expressing the predicate with a verb in the Present or Past Simple, you must use do/does or did.

Regarding the word order in the construction special question, then it is the same as in general, except that at the beginning of the sentence there must be a question word: who (who), when (when), what (what), how long (how long), where (where) , how (how).

Imperative sentences

When considering the types of sentences in English, one cannot fail to mention imperative sentences. They are necessary to express a request, encouragement to take any action, command, as well as a prohibition when it comes to the negative form.

An imperative sentence assumes a direct word order, but the verb is placed first: “Give me my pen, please” (“Give me my pen, please”). In some cases, this construction may consist of only one verb: “Run!” (Run!). Wanting to soften an order or turn it into a request, the speaker can use would you, will you or won’t you, placing them at the end of the sentence.

Exclamatory sentences

The construction of sentences in English of the exclamatory type is carried out according to the same scheme as the usual one, however, they should be pronounced emotionally, and on the letter at the end of such a construction it is always written. For example, “You are very beautiful!” (“You are very beautiful!”) or “I’m so happy!” (“I’m so happy!”).

In cases where an exclamatory sentence requires additional reinforcement, you can use the question words what and how. For example, “What a big house it is!” ("Which big house!”), “What a sad movie!” (“What a sad movie!”) or “How well Matt can dance!” (“Matt dances so well!”). It is worth noting that if the subject is used in singular necessary indefinite article a or an.

Complex sentences: definition and classification

In addition to simple sentences, there are also complex ones, which are formed by combining the first ones. Complex and complex sentences are types of sentences in English that have a complex structure. The difference between them is that the former are a construction consisting of two independent simple sentences, while the latter are a main clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Compound sentences are built using words such as and, or, but, for, yet. As for unions that are used for formation, they are divided into the following groups:

• causes/effects: since (since), because (because), therefore (for this reason, therefore), so (therefore, so);
• time: before (before, before), while (while), after (after), when (when);
• others: although (despite the fact that), if (if), though (though), unless (if only).

In all simple sentences, of which complex ones are composed, a direct order must be maintained. There are a huge number of sentences in the English language, but regardless of their type, the basic rule of construction must be observed.

Types of Conditional Sentences

In English they are used to describe a situation with various characteristics. They are able to accept different shape, but in most cases the following construction is used: “If Condition, (then) Statement” (If Condition, (then) Statement). For example, “If it is warm, many people prefer to go to the park” (“If it is warm, many people prefer to go to the park”), “If you buy this dress, I will give you free gloves” (“If you buy this dress, I'll give you free gloves").

Conditional sentences in English are divided into three types. The first is used to denote real, feasible conditions relating to any of the times (future, present, past). To construct such a construction, a verb is used in its main sentence future form, and in the subordinate clause - in the present one.

The second describes unrealistic conditions that relate to the future or present. To create such a sentence, the main part of it uses verb should or would and the verb in the base form without the particle to, and in the subordinate form - were for the verb to be or the Past Simple form for all the rest.

And the third covers unfulfilled conditions in the past. Main part sentences are constructed using the verb should/would and a verb in the present tense, and the subordinate clause is built using a verb in Past form Perfect.