english hum-1109 Hum-1109 Technical English

Master Guide: English Sentence Structures

Compiled from Munshi Sir’s Slides, Tasaddik’s Notes, and Exam Prep Sheets.

This question usually appears as Question 1(a) and is highly scoring if you memorize the patterns.

The 9 Basic Sentence Structures (Master List)

#	Structure Formula	Mental Anchor Example
1	S + Intransitive Verb (Vi) + Adverbial	The plane landed at the airport.
2	S + Linking Verb (LV) + Adj. Complement	The food smells delicious.
3	S + Linking Verb (LV) + Noun Complement	He became a lecturer.
4	S + Be Verb + Adverbial	The car is in the garage.
5	S + Transitive Verb (Vt) + Object	She likes reading.
6	S + Vt + Object + Adj. Complement	He left the door open.
7	S + Vt + Object + Noun Complement	We consider him a genius.
8	S + Vt + Indirect Obj (IO) + Direct Obj (DO)	Adil gave Rahat a book.
9	There + Verb + Subject + Extension	There lived a King.

Detailed Breakdown & Examples (Type-wise)

Type 1: Subject + Intransitive Verb (Vi) + Adverbial

Rule: The verb does not take an object. It is followed by where, when, or how.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

She reads in the library.
She dances on the stage,.
He walks along the road,.
He goes to school,.
The moon rose,.
We walked for five miles,.
Go away / come in,.
She has gone dancing,.
He is a very very important person,.
You can rely on me,.
We stopped to rest,.
Leda married young.
Saba has gone singing.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

She reads at 8.30 pm.
He went slowly.
She slept.
Hasina is sleeping.
He went to school at 8:00 am.
Since he was ill, he has not attend in the classroom.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + Vi + adverbial of manner (dance) $\to$ The children dance beautifully.
2022: S + Vi + adverbial (fly) $\to$ Birds fly gracefully.
2020: S + Vi + adverbial of time (read) $\to$ She reads carefully every morning.
2019: S + Vi + adverbial of time (read) $\to$ Students read silently during study hours.
2018: S + Vi + adverbial (go) $\to$ The students go to school regularly.
2017: S + Vi + adverbial of place (be) $\to$ The children are in the playground.
2017: S + Vi + adverbial of direction + time (go) $\to$ Students go to the library every morning.
2016: Subject + intransitive verb (sleep) $\to$ The baby sleeps peacefully.
Source Example: She reads in the library.

Type 2: Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective Complement

Rule: The verb acts like an ”=” sign. The adjective describes the subject.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

Rosogolla tastes delicious,.
Rosogolla is delicious when it is tasted,.
She felt nervous,,.
She looks beautiful,.
She acted crazy,.
She became mad,.
His morale remains high throughout his life,.
Honey tastes sweet,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

He acted crazy.
You sound pessimistic.
She looks beautiful.
He remains a pessimistic throughout his life (Note: Source uses “pessimistic” (adj) in a noun position structure).

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + LV + Adj. complement (act) $\to$ She acts confident.
2023: S + LV + Adj. complement (get) $\to$ The weather gets cold in winter.
2022: S + LV + Adj. complement (smell) $\to$ The flowers smell fragrant.
2021: S + LV + Adj. Complement (Appear) $\to$ The situation appears complicated.
2020: S + LV + Adj. complement (Seem) $\to$ She seems happy.
2019: S + LV + Adj. complement (act) $\to$ The medicine acts effectively.
2018: S + LV + Adj. complement (Look) $\to$ The flowers look beautiful.
2017: S + LV + Adj. complement (sound) $\to$ The music sounds melodious.
Source Example: Honey tastes sweet.

Type 3: Subject + Linking Verb + Noun Complement

Rule: The noun renames the subject (Subject = Noun).

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

He became a lecturer in the University,,.
She became a doctor,.
The ambassador turned traitor,,.
Eliza looks an angel,,.
Eliza is an angel,.
The conference proved a success,.
It seems a good idea,.
He became a lawyer in the Supreme Court,.
He remains a pessimistic throughout his life (Note: Listed under Noun Comp in slides),.
He was elected/selected/nominated/appointed/chosen/made captain of the club,.
He was held a captive,.
Women, frailty thy name,.
I live only for thee,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

She looks an angel.
He remains a pessimistic throughout his life.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + LV + Noun complement (prove) $\to$ He proves a good student.
2023: S + LV + Noun complement (remain) $\to$ He remains a good friend.
2022: S + LV + Noun complement (become) $\to$ She became a doctor.
2019: S + LV + Noun complement (remain) $\to$ He remains a loyal friend.
2018: S + LV + Noun complement (Look) $\to$ He looks a gentleman.
2017: S + LV + Noun comp + extension (remain) $\to$ He remains a dedicated teacher.
2015: S + LV + Noun complement $\to$ My brother is a doctor.
Source Example: Eliza looks an angel.

Type 4: Subject + Be Verb + Adverbial

Rule: Used to state location or time.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

I am here,,.
He is in the library,.
She is in the kitchen,.
She is behind the door,.
It was long ago,.
Ahmad is here,.
She went there (Note: Listed here in slides, though typically Vi).

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

He is behind the kitchen (verb “be”).

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

The car was in the garage,.
My hometown is near the river.
My keys are on the table.
The meeting is tomorrow.
The students live in the dormitory (Implied state of being).
-2023: S + Vi (implied Be) + adverbial of place (live) $\to$ The students live in the dormitory.

Type 5: Subject + Transitive Verb (Vt) + Object

Rule: The verb transfers action to an object. The object can be a noun, pronoun, gerund, or infinitive.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

She reads a book,.
A book is read by her,.
The teacher teaches the students,.
She likes reading.
I need your help,.
Let me finish,.
The teacher help the students (to) learn the lesson,.
It made me laugh,.
I want to accept your proposal,.
I like skiing,.
I forgot to post your letter,.
Clause as Object: Do you think that it will rain?,.
Clause as Object: I convinced him that I was innocent,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

He wants to go (infinitive as obj).
He wants Selim to go (infinitive with sub as obj).
He made me laugh (bare infinitive as obj).
I know what to do (infinitive with interrogative word).
My mother finished cooking (gerund as obj).
I heard her singing (gerund with sub as obj).
I convinced him that I was innocent (that clause as obj).
He has stopped cooking.
Rina is old enough to go to school.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + Vt + gerund as object (start) $\to$ They started singing.
2023: S + Vt + infinitive with subject as object (ask) $\to$ The teacher asked the students to complete the assignment.
2023: S + Vt + gerund as object (avoid) $\to$ She avoids making noise.
2022: S + Vt + object (read) $\to$ Students read books.
2022: S + Vt + Infinitive as object (decide) $\to$ We decided to leave.
2021: S + Vt + Object (Deliver) $\to$ The postman delivers letters.
2020: S + Vt + Object + Extension (Read) $\to$ He read the newspaper to his grandfather.
2018: S + Vt + gerund as object (Stop) $\to$ The teacher stopped teaching.
2015: S + Vi (should be Vt) + infinitive as obj $\to$ She decided to study.
Source Example: I like skiing (Gerund) / I want to accept (Infinitive).

Type 6: Subject + Vt + Object + Adjective Complement

Rule: The adjective describes the Object, not the subject.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

He left the door open,,.
Grief turned his hair white,.
I like my coffee cold,.
I consider him (to be) wise,.
I judge him (to be) 50,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

I like my coffee cold.
I believe him honest.
She proved him wise.
I consider him wise.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + Vt + Obj + Adj. complement (judge) $\to$ We judge him honest.
2023: S + Vt + Obj + Adj. complement (force) $\to$ The situation forced him desperate.
2021: S + Vt + Obj + Adj. Complement (Hold) $\to$ The teacher holds the students responsible.
2020: S + Vt + Obj + Adj. complement (Judge) $\to$ The panel judged the performance outstanding.
2019: S + Vt + Obj + Adj. complement (prove) $\to$ The experiment proved the theory correct.
2018: S + Vt + Obj + Adj. complement (Consider) $\to$ We consider him honest.
2017: S + Vt + Obj + Adj. complement (believe) $\to$ We believe this method very effective.
Source Example: He left the door open.

Type 7: Subject + Vt + Object + Noun Complement

Rule: The second noun renames the Object.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

We consider him a genius,,.
The Chair Person declared the conference a success,.
We made him our captain,.
We know him as an honest man,.
I took him for a fool,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

We consider him a genius,.
The government believed the conference a success.
She proved him a culprit.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + Vt + Obj + Noun complement (call) $\to$ They call her teacher.
2023: S + Vt + Obj + Noun complement (find) $\to$ They found him a reliable partner.
2021: S + Vt + Obj + Noun Complement (Make) $\to$ The board made him chairman.
2019: S + Vt + Obj + Noun complement (prove) $\to$ The jury proved him guilty (Note: ‘Guilty’ is adj, strictly speaking. Better example: They proved him a liar).
2018: S + Vt + Obj + Noun complement (Consider) $\to$ The committee considered him the best candidate.
2017: S + Vt + Obj + Noun complement (believe) $\to$ They believe him an honest person.
2015: S + Vt + Obj + Noun complement (elect) $\to$ They elected him chairman.
Source Example: We consider him a genius.

Type 8: Subject + Vt + Indirect Object + Direct Object

Rule: Action is done to the DO, for the IO.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

Adil gave Rahat a book,,.
The teacher prepare the students a lesson,.
The teacher prepare a lesson for the students,.
He doesn’t owe me anything,.
Will you do me a favour?,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

I gave him a book.
I sent him a chocolate.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2024 (CSE): S + Vt + obj + obj (explain) $\to$ He explains us the lesson.
2022: S + Vt + indirect obj + direct obj (give) $\to$ I gave him a gift.
2018: S + Vt + obj + obj (Send) $\to$ My mother sent me a beautiful gift.
2016: S + Vt + Direct Obj + Indirect Obj (Offer) $\to$ The company offers students excellent job opportunities.

Type 9: There + Verb + Subject + Extension

Rule: Inverted structure.

Examples from Munshi Sir’s Slides:

There lived a King long time ago,,.
There stands a rain tree in front of our house,.
There lives a hermit in the nearby jungle,.
There goes a man there,.
It’s 11 o’clock,.

Examples from Tasaddik’s Notes:

There remains a kitkat chocolate in my bag.
There exists a mango tree in front of my house.

Examples from Exam Prep & PYQs:

2022: There + verb + sub + extension $\to$ There are many stars in the sky.
2021: There + Verb + Subj + Adverb (Go) $\to$ There goes the train slowly.
2019: There + Verb + Subj + Extension (exist) $\to$ There exist many opportunities.
2016: There + verb + subject + extension (remain) $\to$ There remain several important issues.

Miscellaneous / Complex Structures (Rare)

2016: Either + S + or + S + verb + obj (make) $\to$ Either John or Mary makes the decision.
2016: S + verb + not only + obj + but also + obj (write) $\to$ The teacher writes not only stories but also poems.
2015: Not only S + but also S + verb + obj (ride) $\to$ Not only students but also teachers ride bicycles.
2015: Subj + Vt + obj + that clause $\to$ I believe that education is important.

Expert Comments & Helpful Tips

The “Complement” vs. “Object” Trick:
- If you can place an ”=” sign between the Subject/Object and the following word, it is a Complement.
  - He became a doctor. (He = Doctor $\to$ Noun Complement).
  - Honey tastes sweet. (Honey = Sweet $\to$ Adj Complement).
- If the action is done TO something else, it is an Object.
  - He kicked the ball. (He $\neq =$ Ball $\to$ Object).
Verbs to Watch Out For:
- “Live” as a verb: In 2023, it asked for “Live” as a verb in S + Vi + Adv. Do not confuse this with “Live” (adjective, e.g., live telecast). Sentence: He lives in Khulna.
- “Read”: Often appears as Intransitive (She reads slowly) or Transitive (She reads a book). Check the formula requested.
- “Consider/Judge/Prove”: These are almost always used for S + Vt + Obj + Complement (Type 6 or 7). Example: We consider him wise.
Study Strategy:
- Phase 1: Memorize the 9 Formulas from the table at the top.
- Phase 2: Practice the 2023 and 2024 CSE questions listed above. If you can solve those, you cover almost every variation asked in the last 10 years.
- Phase 3: Review the Munshi Sir Slides specifically, as the exam questions often use the exact verbs found in his examples.

007_index

Sentence Structures Master Guide

Master Guide: English Sentence Structures

The 9 Basic Sentence Structures (Master List)

Detailed Breakdown & Examples (Type-wise)

Type 1: Subject + Intransitive Verb (Vi) + Adverbial

Type 2: Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective Complement

Type 3: Subject + Linking Verb + Noun Complement

Type 4: Subject + Be Verb + Adverbial

Type 5: Subject + Transitive Verb (Vt) + Object

Type 6: Subject + Vt + Object + Adjective Complement

Type 7: Subject + Vt + Object + Noun Complement

Type 8: Subject + Vt + Indirect Object + Direct Object

Type 9: There + Verb + Subject + Extension

Miscellaneous / Complex Structures (Rare)

Expert Comments & Helpful Tips

Graph View

Table of Contents