Word Order in English

Verb + Object

The most common order of words in sentences is as follows:

Subject + Verb + Object

Examples:

• Sally speaks English.
• John reads the newspaper.

Place & Time

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

Examples:

• I go to the supermarket every Saturday.
  (NOT: I go every Saturday to the supermarket)
• Bill has lived in London for 10 years.
  (NOT: Bill has lived for 10 years in London)

Adverbs of Frequency

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

Examples:

• Susan often goes shopping.
• I never gamble.
• They always sleep early.

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

Examples:

• She is rarely late.
• He is never home before dark.

They can also go between two verbs.

Examples:

• I will always remember my brother.
• I have never been to Japan.