Subject, Verb & Object – The Simple English Sentence Formula (SVO Rule)

Do you know the easiest way to build correct English sentences? It’s by using the simple S–V–O formula — Subject + Verb + Object. Once you understand this structure, you can speak or write 90% of your daily English sentences correctly. Let’s learn it step by step 👇

📘 What is S–V–O in English Grammar?

Every complete English sentence needs three main parts:

Subject (S) – the person or thing that does the action.
Verb (V) – the action or state of being.
Object (O) – the person or thing that receives the action.

👉 Example:
Riya (S) eats an apple (O).
She (S) loves music (O).
I (S) read a book (O).

🧠 Formula: `Subject + Verb + Object`

This is the natural word order in English. It helps you sound correct and confident.

🔹 Example Sentences:

I play football.
She likes coffee.
We watch movies.
They eat dinner at 8 o’clock.

All these follow the same pattern — S (who) + V (action) + O (what).

🗣️ Why SVO is Important

Many beginners make the mistake of changing word order like “Play I football.” ❌ But English follows a fixed pattern. Once you master SVO, you’ll automatically make correct sentences and improve your fluency.

🧩 Quick Grammar Tip

Remember this shortcut:

Who + Does What + To Whom
Subject + Verb + Object

💬 Example: John (who) writes (does what) a letter (to whom).

💬 Daily Practice Ideas

🕐 Make 5 sentences about your routine. (I wake up at 6. I eat breakfast...)
📱 Describe 3 things around you. (This is my phone. It has a camera.)
👨‍🏫 Record yourself saying your sentences aloud — it builds confidence!

🧩 Quick Grammar Quiz — Subject, Verb & Object

Test your understanding! Choose the correct answer in each question.

Which sentence follows the SVO pattern?
a) Eats she an apple.
b) She eats an apple.
c) Apple eats she.
✅ Correct: b) She eats an apple.

What is the Subject in this sentence? – John reads a book.
✅ Subject → John

What is the Verb in this sentence? – Riya plays guitar.
✅ Verb → plays

What is the Object? – They watch movies.
✅ Object → movies

Find the correct order:
a) SOV
b) SVO
c) VOS
✅ Correct: b) SVO

Which word is NOT a verb?
a) eat
b) run
c) happy
✅ Correct: c) happy

Choose the complete sentence:
a) The boy.
b) The boy runs fast.
c) Runs fast.
✅ Correct: b) The boy runs fast.

Identify the Object: – She is watching TV.
✅ Object → TV

Which is a correct sentence?
a) I tea drink.
b) Drink I tea.
c) I drink tea.
✅ Correct: c) I drink tea.

What comes first in an English sentence?
✅ Subject

💯 Score Yourself: 8–10 = Excellent | 6–7 = Good | 4–5 = Practice more!

🔤 Alternate Words Box – Synonym Practice

Learn different ways to use common verbs and subjects. This helps make your sentences sound natural and rich.

💬 Subject Words

I → We, My friend, My teacher
She → Riya, My sister, The girl
He → Arjun, My father, The boy
They → My parents, Students, People

⚡ Verb Words (Use Alternates)

eat → have, take, enjoy
read → study, look at, go through
watch → see, observe, notice
play → enjoy, perform, act

🎯 Object Words

tea → coffee, juice, milk
book → story, novel, lesson
music → song, tune, melody
football → cricket, basketball, tennis

✨ Try forming new sentences using these alternate words to increase your vocabulary.

🌱 Motivation Corner

Don’t try to memorize grammar rules — understand the pattern and practice naturally. Every big speaker started with the same formula: Subject → Verb → Object. So today, start writing your own simple sentences — you’re already improving! 💪

👉 Next Lesson:

Lesson 3: Nouns – Names of People, Places & Things →