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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Sentence Pattern Quiz: Identify Common Structures

Quick, free sentence pattern test with instant feedback.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jared And CleighUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art with layered shapes text blocks pencil cutouts on golden yellow background promotes sentence pattern quiz

This sentence pattern quiz helps you identify common patterns, choose the right structure, and catch mistakes in context. Get instant feedback as you answer. To round out your practice, try our types of sentences quiz, review core parts with the subject and predicate quiz, and build sentence variety in the compound and complex sentences quiz.

Identify the pattern of the sentence: The sky is blue.
SVOC (Subject-Verb-Object-Complement)
SVC (Subject-Verb-Complement) - Explanation: "blue" is a subject complement describing "the sky" after the linking verb "is".
SVA (Subject-Verb-Adverbial)
SVO (Subject-Verb-Object)
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Choose the sentence that fits the SVO pattern.
I read novels. - Explanation: Subject "I," verb "read," direct object "novels."
The flowers are beautiful.
She sleeps soundly.
They elected her captain.
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In the sentence: The soup smells delicious, what is the pattern?
SVOO (Subject-Verb-Object-Object)
SVC (Subject-Verb-Complement) - Explanation: "smells" is a linking verb; "delicious" is a subject complement.
SVO (Subject-Verb-Object)
SV (Subject-Verb)
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Identify the pattern: The committee gave the winner a medal.
SVOO (Subject-Verb-Indirect Object-Direct Object) - Explanation: "the winner" is IO; "a medal" is DO.
SVOC (Subject-Verb-Object-Complement)
SVOA (Subject-Verb-Object-Adverbial)
SVO (Subject-Verb-Object)
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This sentence follows SVA: The children played outside.
False
True - Explanation: "The children" S, "played" V, "outside" adverbial (A).
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Select the sentence with an object complement (SVOC).
They gave the door paint.
They painted the door red. - Explanation: DO = "the door"; OC = "red".
The door is red.
The door opened slowly.
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Identify the pattern: There is a problem.
Existential there with SVC-like structure - Explanation: Dummy "There" + verb "is" + notional subject "a problem" functions as complement of be.
SVOO
SVOC
SVO
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Identify the ditransitive pattern in English.
SVOO - Explanation: Ditransitive verbs take an indirect and a direct object (e.g., give, send).
SVC
SVO
SVOC
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In The teacher made the problem simpler, what is the pattern?
SVC
SVA
SVOO
SVOC - Explanation: DO = "the problem"; OC = "simpler".
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Imperatives typically omit the subject but still have a complete clause pattern.
False
True - Explanation: The understood subject is "you"; the clause still has a verb and complements as needed.
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Which sentence exemplifies SVOA?
She is the manager.
She put the keys on the table. - Explanation: S "She"; V "put"; O "the keys"; A "on the table."
She sent him flowers.
She slept soundly.
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Which sentence shows object-raising to object pattern recognition: I believe him to be honest?
SVO (finite clause)
SVC
SVOO
SVOC (with infinitival small clause) - Explanation: DO = "him"; OC = "to be honest" describing "him."
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Identify the pattern: It seems that we are late.
SVC with finite clause complement - Explanation: Dummy "It" as subject; verb "seems"; clausal complement "that we are late."
SVA
SVOO
SV (no complement)
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The sentence: There appear to be errors follows an existential pattern with a nonfinite complement.
False
True - Explanation: Dummy "there" + "appear" + nonfinite complement "to be errors."
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Inversion in questions changes word order but not core valency pattern.
True - Explanation: Auxiliary inversion affects order, not the presence of required complements/objects.
False
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Identify the pattern with a small clause: I found the room empty.
SVOA
SVC
SVOC - Explanation: DO = "the room"; OC = "empty" (small clause).
SVO
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Identify the pattern: Under the bed was a cat.
Inverted SVC-like locative inversion - Explanation: Locative PP fronted; notional subject "a cat" follows "was."
SVO
SVA
SVOC
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A verbless clause can function as an adverbial supplement: With the weather bad, we stayed inside.
True
False
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Identify the pattern: The door was painted red by the artist.
SV
Active SVOO
Passive SVOC - Explanation: Subject "The door"; copular-like passive "was painted"; complement "red" describes the DO of the active.
Active SVOC
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Choose the sentence illustrating SVO with an embedded nonfinite wh-clause object.
She forgot to buy.
She forgot about buying.
She forgot purchases.
She forgot what to buy. - Explanation: "what to buy" is a nonfinite wh-clause serving as DO.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Key Sentence Patterns -

    Understand what is sentence pattern by recognizing the fundamental structures used in English, including subject - verb and subject - verb - complement forms.

  2. Analyze SVC Sentence Examples -

    Examine examples of SVC sentence pattern to see how subjects, verbs, and complements interact and reinforce clear communication.

  3. Differentiate Between Simple and Complex Structures -

    Distinguish basic patterns of a sentence from more complex variations, enabling you to adapt your writing for clarity and impact.

  4. Apply Patterns in Writing -

    Use your knowledge of sentence patterns to craft grammatically sound sentences that enhance readability and style.

  5. Self-Assess Grammar Skills -

    Test your understanding of pattern of sentence concepts through targeted quiz questions and identify areas for improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding the SV Pattern -

    Every complete English sentence needs a subject and a verb, the SV pattern, as in "Birds sing." Grab this foundation to ace more advanced patterns (Purdue OWL).

  2. Recognizing SVO Structures -

    English often uses the Subject-Verb-Object pattern to express actions clearly, e.g., "She reads books." This structure appears in over 90% of simple sentences (University of Illinois).

  3. Exploring SVC: Subject-Verb-Complement -

    The SVC pattern employs linking verbs and complements, as in "They are happy." Spotting complements boosts clarity by completing the meaning (Cambridge Grammar).

  4. Advancing with SVOO & SVOC -

    Double-object sentences like "She gave him a gift" (SVOO) and object-complement patterns like "They named the puppy Max" (SVOC) add richness. Practicing these variations helps you handle complex thoughts with confidence (Purdue OWL).

  5. Speedy Pattern Recognition Tips -

    Circle verbs and underline subjects, objects, and complements to map sentence patterns in seconds. This labeling hack from the Harvard Writing Center sharpens your grammar instincts with just five minutes of practice a day.

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