VERB PATTERNS AND WORD ORDERS

The Verb Patterns are meant to supply information concerning syntax. A study of these patterns will prove to be of great benefit to one who is learning English as a foreign or second language. The grammar book and the dictionary do not give adequate information on such points. A learner often forms sentences by analogy and construct an incorrect sentence like, "Please explain him the meaning" on the analogy of such sentences that he has learnt 'Please tell us the meaning' or 'Please show me the office', where the indirect object is followed by the direct object.

(If you want to write or speak pure English or translate English into other languages correctly, you need to have knowledge about the Verb Pattern of English. Note the main Verb Patterns below:)

[For greater detail you may refer to “A Guide to Patterns and Usage in English” -A.S.. Hornby and The Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English O.U.P.J.]

Pattern 1: In this pattern, verbs are used with direct object.

Subject + Verb	Direct object etc.
The girl knows	the answer to the question.
He cut	his finger while sharpening the pencils.
He hurt	himself badly.
They described	what they saw at the place.
The lady died	a sad death.

NOTE: In example (iii) the object is a relative pronoun. In (iv), it is a clause and in (v), it is a cognate object.