WORD ORDER

Standard word order is the most common sentence pattern in English: The SUBJECT comes before the VERB. Simple sentences: A typical word order for an English one-clause-sentence would be:

e.g. The Azipods [subject]

provide [verb]

Technip [direct object]

with a maximum transit speed. [indirect object]

In Standard English, nothing usually comes between the subject and the verb, or between the verb and the object. There are a few exceptions. The most important of these are adverbs of frequency (See Adverb Modifiers below) and indirect objects without to. e.g.

To expand the basic one-clause-sentence, you can add manner (how?), place (where?) and time (when? how often?) modifiers. These usually appear in the above mentioned order. An easy formula to help you remember the basic word order for a basic English sentence is: Subject-Verb-Object-Manner-Place-Time, or conversely the acronym SVOMPT (pronounced like swamp). You usually do not have to include all six parts, but if you do, this order is recommended. The teacher [subject] gave an assignment to the students [indirect object] Direct object Affirmative Negative Two fixed propellers cannot achieve vessel positioning efficiently in due time. Indirect object quickly [manner] manner in class yesterday. [place] [time] place time

[verb] [direct object] subject verb

If you always apply these few simple rules, you will not make too many word order problems in English. The examples above are deliberately simple - but the rules can be applied even to complex sentences, with subordinate and coordinated clauses. MISPLACED MODIFIERS To ensure clarity, place your modifiers carefully. Make sure that your placement of modifiers does not interrupt the sentence structure or create ambiguity. The only constituent that may occur in many different places is an

adverbial. Especially one-word adverbials like not, always, and often may occur almost anywhere in the sentence. In order to see if a sentence part is an adverbial or not, see if it is possible to move it in the sentence.

Placement of Adjectives (noun modifiers) Adjectives modify nouns, pronouns and word groups that function as nouns. In English, an adjective comes directly before the noun it describes. However, when more than one adjective describes the same noun, several sequences may be possible.

Word order for more than one adjective 1. Determiners, if any: a, an, the, my, this, that, and so on 2. Expressions of order, including ordinal numbers, if any: first, second, third, next, last,.and so on 3. Expressions of quantity, including cardinal (counting) numbers, if any : one, two, few, each, every, some and so on. 4. Adjectives of judgement or opinion, if any: interesting, boring, happy 5. Adjectives of size or shape: small, short, round, etc. 6. Adjectives of age or condition: new, young, broken, dirty 7. Adjectives of colour: green, blue 8. Adjectives that can also be used as nouns: French, metal, cotton 9. The Noun

1 a the

3 few

5 small

last

good

green

credentials

NOTE: Long strings of cumulative adjectives tend to be awkward. As a rule, use no more than two or three of them between the article (or other noun marker) and the noun modified. Here are several examples: e.g. a cylindrical, independent, self-supporting LNG tank.

Placement of Adverbs ADVERBS modify, describe or limit, VERBS, ADJECTIVES, other adverbs, or entire sentences. Adverbs may be positioned first, in the middle, or last in clauses. The table below summarizes adverb types, what they tell about the words they modify, and where each type can be placed.

Types of adverbs and where to position them ADVERBS OF MANNER ADVERBS OF TIME Describe how something is done Are usually in middle or last position Describe when or how long about an event Are usually in first or last position Include just, still, already and similar adverbs, which are usually in middle position Describe how often an event takes place Are usually in middle position Are in first position when they modify an entire sentence (see Sentence adverbs below) Describe how much or to what extent about other modifiers Are directly before the word they modify Include only which is easy to misplace Novatek currently holds an 80 per cent stake in Yamal LNG.

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY

ADVERBS DEGREE EMPHASIS

OF OR

The propulsion system obviously plays a key role in positioning the vessel. Stainless steel is generally not considered suitable for use in seawater systems.

SENTENCE ADVERBS

Modify the entire sentence rather than just one word or a few words Include transitional words and expressions as well as such expressions as maybe, probably, possibly, fortunately, unfortunately and incredibly Are in first position

transitional words: Additionally, water cooled reheat furnace are located at downstream of combustion gas.

ATTENTION: Do not let an adverb separate a verb from its DIRECT OBJECT OR INDIRECT OBJECT!