Word Order 1: Verb + Object, Place and Time

Verb + Object: Keep Them Together

The verb and the object of a sentence normally go together. Do not put other words between them.

Notice how adverbs like very much, fluently, and yesterday come after the object, not between the verb and the object.

• I like my job very much. (not I like very much my job.)
• Our guide spoke English fluently. (not spoke fluently English)
• Dan won the race easily. (not won easily the race)

The same rule applies with longer expressions after the verb:

• I lost all my money and I also lost my passport. (not I lost also my passport.)
• At the end of this street you’ll see a supermarket on your left. (not see on your left a supermarket)

Place: Where Does It Go?

The verb and place (where?) normally go together:

• *go home*, *live in a city*, *walk to work*

When the verb has an object, the order is verb + object + place:

• We took the children to the zoo. (not took to the zoo the children)
• Don’t put anything on the table.

Time: After Place

Time expressions (when? / how often? / how long?) normally go after place. The full order is:

verb + object + place + time

• Ben walks to work every morning. (not every morning to work)
• We need to be at the airport by 8 o’clock.
• You really shouldn’t go to bed so late.

Time at the Beginning

Sometimes you can put time at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis or to set the scene:

• *On Monday I’m going to Paris.*
• *After the party Sarah gave me a lift home.*

Both positions are correct. Putting time first often links the sentence to a previous idea or highlights the timing.

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