Definition and Examples of SVO (Subject-Verb-Object)
The initialism SVO represents the essential word order of main and subordinate clauses in modern English: Subject + Verb + object.
Compared with other languages, SVO word order in English (also known as canonical word order) is rigid. Non-canonical word organization can be found in English’s selection of clause types.
Examples and Observations
- The woman [S] built [V] a strong stone wall [O]
- The children [S] eat [V] buns, cakes, and biscuits [O]
- The professor [S] threw [V] an orange [O]
