Language & Literature

Sentence Pattern Quiz: Identify Common Structures

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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.

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1Identify the pattern of the sentence: The sky is blue.
2Choose the sentence that fits the SVO pattern.
3In the sentence: The soup smells delicious, what is the pattern?
4Identify the pattern: The committee gave the winner a medal.
5This sentence follows SVA: The children played outside.
6Select the sentence with an object complement (SVOC).
7Identify the pattern: There is a problem.
8Identify the ditransitive pattern in English.
9In The teacher made the problem simpler, what is the pattern?
10Imperatives typically omit the subject but still have a complete clause pattern.
11Which sentence exemplifies SVOA?
12Which sentence shows object-raising to object pattern recognition: I believe him to be honest?
13Identify the pattern: It seems that we are late.
14The sentence: There appear to be errors follows an existential pattern with a nonfinite complement.
15Inversion in questions changes word order but not core valency pattern.
16Identify the pattern with a small clause: I found the room empty.
17Identify the pattern: Under the bed was a cat.
18A verbless clause can fun<wbr>ction as an adverbial supplement: With the weather bad, we stayed inside.
19Identify the pattern: The door was painted red by the artist.
20Choose the sentence illustrating SVO with an embedded nonfinite wh-clause object.
Learning Goals

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.

Study Guide

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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Updated Feb 20, 2026