HOW TO TACKLE 2026 POST-UTME ENGLISH QUESTIONS ON SENTENCE PATTERNS (Part 1). #learning

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:00:00]What if you came across this English question in your postNE nursing examination or any other related examination? How would you answer the question correctly? Hi, you are welcome to my YouTube channel English by the Gagantuan. If you are taking postme nursing examination or any other related examination this year then this video is for you. If you have not subscribed to this channel, you are lagging behind.

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[00:01:27]Let's answer the question. The question reads, "The young girl bought her brother a car. Option A, SV O. Option B, S V O A. Option C, SVO C. And option D, SVO.

[00:01:48]In case you didn't know, this question is from the topic called sentence sentence patterns.

[00:02:01]Sentence patterns that is the topic this question is from.

[00:02:08]They gave us a sentence. They want us to give a correct or an appropriate pattern to the given sentence. That is why this question is from the topic called sentence patterns. Basically speaking, there are seven sentence patterns in the English language. We have seven basic sentence patterns in the English language. Let me show you the seven basic sentence patterns we have in the English language. The first basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is SV. In case you didn't know, SV stands for subject plus verb. The second basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is SVO and SVO stands for subject plus verb plus object.

[00:03:09]The third basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is SVO and SVO stands for subject plus verb plus object plus another object. The next basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is SVC and SVC stands for subject plus verb plus complement.

[00:03:40]Please note that in the sentence pattern SVC the C the letter C does not stand for conjunction rather it stands for complement. I believe that is understood. The next basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is SVOC and SVOC stands for subject plus verb plus object plus complement.

[00:04:12]The next basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is SVA and SVA stands for subject plus verb plus adverb. Again note that in the sentence pattern SVA VA the letter A does not stand for adjective rather it stands for adverb. I believe that is understood. The last basic sentence pattern we have in the English language is svae and svoa stands for subject plus verb plus object plus adverb. I believe this is well understood for you to be able to give a correct or an appropriate pattern to any given sentence. You should be able to identify five components in a sentence. The five components are one subject which is represented by the letter S. Two verb which is represented by the letter V. Three object which is represented by the letter O. four compliment which is represented by the letter C and five adverb which is represented by the letter A. If you can identify these five components in a sentence then you can give a correct or an appropriate pattern to that particular sentence. At this point, let us look at each of these five components with a view to telling you how to identify it in a sentence. The first component is the subject represented by the letter S. Everybody knows that a subject is the performer of an action or the topic of discussion in a sentence.

[00:06:22]The performer of an action or the topic of discussion in a sentence is what we refer to as the subject of that sentence. For example, if I say Juliet slapped J. This is a sentence. It is a sentence. The subject of this sentence is actually Juliet.

[00:06:46]The reason is that she's the performer of the action of slapping John.

[00:06:53]Also if I say Emmanuel is handsome, this is also a sentence. The subject of this sentence is Emmanuel.

[00:07:06]The reason is that is the topic of discussion in this sentence. In summary, the performer of an action or the topic of discussion in a sentence is what we refer to as the subject of that sentence. I believe this is understood.

[00:07:26]A subject can come as a noun, a pronoun, etc. Any part of a sentence that answers the question who, who or what becomes the subject of that sentence.

[00:07:53]If you are given a sentence and you are asked to identify the subject of that sentence, it is the part of the sentence that answers the question who or what. I believe that is understood. Let us look at two examples so that you will understand much or a lot better. Look at this sentence. The brilliant student has arrived. If I want to get the subject of this particular sentence, all I need to do is ask the question, who has arrived?

[00:08:30]Who has arrived? You will find out that the answer to that question is the brilliant student. The brilliant student.

[00:08:42]Since this part of this sentence, the brilliant student answers the question who then this part of the sentence becomes the subject of the sentence. Let us look at this other sentence. The old book is on the table. If I want to get the subject of this particular sentence, all I need to do is ask the question, what is on the table? What is on the table? Can we find out that the answer to that question is the old book?

[00:09:21]Since this part of this sentence answers the question what, then it is the subject of the sentence. In summary, any part of a sentence that answers the question who or what becomes the subject of that sentence represented by the letter S. I believe that is well understood. The second component I want us to look at is the verb represented by the letter V.

[00:09:57]A verb is a word that shows an action that is an action word or a word that shows a state. It can be a state of being, a state of possession etc. It means that any part of a sentence that shows an action or that shows a state is the verb in that sentence.

[00:10:25]Let us look at two examples so that you will understand much or a lot better.

[00:10:31]Look at this sentence. She kicked the ball. You will find out that a part of this sentence shows an action and that part is this word kicked.

[00:10:48]Since this part of this sentence shows an action, therefore this part becomes the verb represented by the letter V.

[00:11:02]Look at the second sentence, he owns a car. You will find out that a part of this sentence shows a state, specifically a state of possession. And that part is this word owns. For that reason, this part of this particular sentence becomes the verb represented by the letter V. In summary, any part of a sentence that shows an action or that shows a state, it can be a state of being, a state of possession, what have you, becomes the verb in that particular sentence. I believe that is understood. Please note that a verb can come as a phrase.

[00:11:54]A phrase.

[00:11:58]And if a verb comes as a phrase, we call it a verb phrase.

[00:12:04]In case you didn't know, a verb phrase is two or more verbs used together.

[00:12:12]Usually a combination of auxiliary and lexical verbs. two or more verbs used together. Usually a combination of auxiliary and lexical verbs is what we call a verb phrase. A good example of a verb phrase is has eaten.

[00:12:38]Has eaten.

[00:12:41]You can see here that we have two verbs has and eat it used together whereas is an auxiliary also called a helping verb and eat it is a lexical also called a main verb. In sentence patterns if you come across a verb phrase take it as one V. Take it as a single V. Do not separate. Let me show you what I am talking about. Look at this sentence.

[00:13:14]The teacher is dancing. If I ask, who is dancing? Who is dancing? The answer to the question becomes the teacher.

[00:13:26]For that reason, the teacher is the subject of the sentence.

[00:13:34]Is is a verb.

[00:13:37]Dancing is also a verb. Two verbs used together. Where is is auxiliary also called helping and dancing is lexical also called main verb. Is dancing becomes a verb phrase. And I said a verb phrase in sentence patterns should be taken as a single V should be taken as one V. Don't separate. So that I cannot say the pattern for this particular sentence is S V. I have to take this verb phrase is dancing as one V as a single V. So that the pattern for this particular sentence is simply S V. I believe you understand what I am talking about here. In summary, under sentence patterns, if you come across a verb phrase, take the verb phrase as one V.

[00:14:38]Do not separate. Take the verb phrase as one V, as a single V. I believe that is understood. Let us continue with the class. Let us kill two birds with a stone. Let us look at these two components. object represented by the letter O and compliment represented by the letter C together. An object is the receiver or sufferer of an action performed by the subject of a sentence.

[00:15:13]Whereas a compliment is a word or a group of words that refers to the same person or the same thing as either the subject or object of a sentence. Let me say it again so that you will understand much or a lot better. I said an object is the receiver or sufferer of an action performed by the subject of a sentence.

[00:15:44]Whereas a compliment is a word or a group of words that refers to the same person or the same thing as either the subject or the object of a sentence.

[00:15:59]At this point, let us look at two examples so that you guys will understand much or a lot better. Look at this sentence. The boy slapped Unazi.

[00:16:12]If I ask who slapped Unazi, the answer becomes the boy.

[00:16:19]Therefore, the ball is the subject of this sentence.

[00:16:25]slat here is the verb.

[00:16:30]Unazi in this sentence is the sufferer or receiver of the action in this case an action of slapping performed by the subject. For that reason, unazi is the object of the sentence. So that the sentence has the pattern svo.

[00:16:54]Look at this second sentence. Amarachi is a nurse. If I ask who is a nurse, the answer becomes Amarachi.

[00:17:06]Therefore, Amarachi is the subject of the sentence.

[00:17:12]Is here is the verb.

[00:17:16]If I see a nurse, the truth is I have seen Amarachi because they said Amarachi is a nurse. If I see a nurse, I have actually seen Amarachi. If I see Amarachi, I have actually seen the nurse because they said Amarachi is a nurse.

[00:17:33]So if I see the nurse, I have seen Amarachi. And if I see Amarachi, I have seen the nurse. In other words, a nurse here refers to the same person as the subject amarachi. For that reason, a nurse is a compliment here. So that the pattern for this second sentence is SVC.

[00:18:00]I believe this is understood.

[00:18:03]Wait a minute. I just noticed something.

[00:18:06]Let me tell you if a part of a sentence refers to the same person or the same thing as either the subject or object of that sentence then that part is a complement.

[00:18:25]H this is interesting. But if it does not refer then that part automatically becomes an object.

[00:18:36]Let me say it again so that you will understand much or a lot better. If a part of a sentence from what I have just noticed refers to the same person or the same thing as either the subject or object of that sentence then that part is a compliment.

[00:18:58]But if it does not refer automatically that part is an object. Let us look at two sentences so that you will understand much or a lot better. Look at this sentence. Emmanuel bought a car. If I ask who bought a car, the answer becomes Emmanuel.

[00:19:22]Therefore, Emmanuel is the subject.

[00:19:27]But is actually the verb.

[00:19:32]If I see a car, I haven't seen Emmanuel. And if I see a manual, I haven't seen a car. This is a manual, a person. This is a car, a thing. It means that a car does not refer to the same person as the subject, Emanuel. For that reason, a car is an object.

[00:19:59]So that the pattern for this sentence is SVO. I believe this is understood. But look at this second sentence. Emmanuel is a pastor.

[00:20:12]If I ask who is a pastor, the answer becomes Emmanuel.

[00:20:19]Therefore, Emmanuel is the subject.

[00:20:23]His in this sentence becomes the verb.

[00:20:28]If I see a pastor, the truth is I have seen Emmanuel because they said Emmanuel is a pastor.

[00:20:37]If I see a pastor, I have seen Emmanuel.

[00:20:41]And if I see Emmanuel, I have actually seen the pastor. It means that a pastor here refers to the same person as the subject Emmanuel. For that reason, a pastor becomes a compliment. So that the pattern for this particular sentence is S VC.

[00:21:04]I believe this is understood. In summary, if a part of a sentence refers to the same person or the same thing as either the subject or object of the sentence, then that part is a complement. But if it does not refer automatically, that part is an object. I believe that is well understood. Let us continue with the class. The last component I want us to look at is adverb represented by the letter a. An adverb is a word that modifies a verb. An adjective or another adverb.

[00:21:49]A word that modifies a verb. An adjective or another adverb is what we refer to as an adverb. Let us see examples so that you will understand what I am talking about. Look at this sentence. She cried bitterly.

[00:22:09]If you look at this sentence, you will find out that cried is a verb.

[00:22:18]bit here is an adverb of manner modifying the verb cried telling us how she cried. You can see in this sentence that this adverb is modifying a verb. That was why I said an adverb is a word that modifies a verb.

[00:22:42]Look at the second sentence. The water is extremely cold. If you look at this sentence, you will find out that is is actually a verb.

[00:22:57]Cold here is an adjective and extremely is an adverb of degree modifying the adjective code.

[00:23:14]telling us the intensity of how cold the water is. You can see in this second sentence that this adverb is not modifying this verb rather it is modifying this adjective telling us the intensity of how cold the water is.

[00:23:36]That was why I said that an adverb is a word that can also modify an adjective.

[00:23:45]Look at the last sentence. She finished the race incredibly quickly. If you look at this sentence, you will find out that finished is a verb.

[00:24:01]quickly. Here is an adverb of manner modifying this verb finished telling us how she finished the race. Whereas incredibly is another adverb, but this time an adverb of degree.

[00:24:24]modifying his adverb telling us the intensity of how quickly she finished the race. You can see in this last sentence that this second adverb is not modifying this verb. It is this first adverb that is modifying this verb. This second adverb is modifying this first adverb.

[00:24:52]That was why I said that an adverb is a word that can also modify another adverb.

[00:24:59]In summary, an adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. I believe that is understood. Please note that an adverb can come as a phrase.

[00:25:18]a phrase.

[00:25:21]And if an adverb comes as a phrase, we actually call it an adverbial phrase.

[00:25:28]An adverbial phrase, in case you didn't know, is a group of words functioning as an adverb. A group of words functioning as an adverb is what we refer to as an adverbial phrase.

[00:25:44]For example, look at this sentence. He kept the book on the table. If you look at this sentence, you will find out that there is a verb. The verb is kept. This is the verb.

[00:26:00]On the table is an adverbial phrase, specifically an adverbial phrase of place.

[00:26:10]modifying this verb kept telling us where he kept the book. I believe this is understood. Any part of a sentence that answers the question how, where, when or why becomes the adverb in that sentence.

[00:26:32]If a sentence is given to you and you are asked to identify the adverb in that sentence, it is the part of the sentence that answers the question how, where, when, or why. For example, look at this sentence. She came yesterday. If I ask who came yesterday, the answer is she.

[00:26:59]Therefore, she is the subject.

[00:27:03]Came is actually the verb. Came is the verb. If I ask she came when, she came when or when did she come? The answer becomes yesterday.

[00:27:20]Since that part of the sentence that is yesterday answers the question when then it is the adverb. So that this sentence has the pattern sva.

[00:27:36]Look at the second sentence. They sat on the chair. They sat on the chair. If I ask who sat on the chair the answer is they. Therefore, they becomes the subject.

[00:27:53]Sat is actually the verb. If I ask, they sat where?

[00:28:01]They sat where? Or where did they sit?

[00:28:06]They sat where did they sit? The answer becomes on the chair.

[00:28:14]Since this part of the sentence in this case on the chair answers the question where therefore it is the adverb so that the sentence has the pattern s va. I believe that is understood. Look at the last sentence. He cried bitterly. He cried bitterly. If I ask who cried bitterly the answer is he. So he becomes the subject.

[00:28:45]Cried is actually the verb here. If I ask she cried how? She cried how or how did she cry? How did she cry? The answer becomes bitterly. Since this part of the sentence in this case bitterly answers the question how. Therefore, it is the adverb. So that the sentence has the pattern s va. In summary, any part of a sentence that answers the question how, where, where, or why becomes the adverb in that sentence. I believe that is understood. Finally, in sentence patterns, if two adverbs are used together in a sentence and you want to give a pattern to that sentence, the two adverbs should be seen as an adverbial and they should be taken as one a do not separate. See both of them as an adverbial and take it as one a do not separate.

[00:30:02]For example, look at this sentence. She is now here. If I ask who is now here, the answer is she. Therefore, she is the subject.

[00:30:16]Is is actually the verb.

[00:30:21]If I ask when is she here? When is she here? The answer is now.

[00:30:31]Since now answers the question when now is an adverb.

[00:30:38]If I ask again she's now where or where is she now? She is now where or where is she now? The answer is here. Since here answers the question where then here is another adverb.

[00:30:58]You will notice that I have two adverbs used together in this sentence. For that reason, I will see both of them as an adverbial and I will take both of them as one a so that the pattern for this sentence is sva.

[00:31:21]I believe this is understood. Having thoroughly looked at how to give a correct or an appropriate pattern to any given sentence, let us now go back to the question with a view to answering it correctly. This is the question. The young girl bought her brother a car. If I ask who bought her brother a car, the answer is the young girl.

[00:31:52]Therefore, the young girl becomes the subject.

[00:31:58]But is actually the verb.

[00:32:02]The next thing I have is her brother.

[00:32:07]If I see her brother, I have not seen the young girl. And if I see the young girl, I have not seen her brother. In other words, her brother does not refer to the same person as the subject, the young girl. For that reason, her brother is an object.

[00:32:33]The last thing I have in this sentence is a car.

[00:32:38]If I see a car, I have not seen the young girl. If I see the young girl, I have not seen a car.

[00:32:47]In the same vein, if I see a car, I have not seen a brother. And if I see a brother, I have not seen a car. In other words, a car does not refer to the same person as the subject, the young girl, or as this object, a her brother. Since it does not refer, it is another object.

[00:33:14]So that the pattern we have succeeded in getting for this sentence is S V O. If you look at the options, you will find out that the correct option for this particular question is option A S V O. I believe this is understood. Let us look at another question under sentence patterns so that you guys will understand much or a lot better. The question reads, "The students made Ojo their president. Option A, SVO.

[00:33:52]Option B, SVO A, option C, SVO C. And option D, SVC." If I ask who made Ojo their president, who made Ojo their president? The answer is the students.

[00:34:11]Therefore, the students becomes the subject.

[00:34:16]Made is actually the verb.

[00:34:20]Made is the verb.

[00:34:23]The next thing I have is ojo.

[00:34:27]If I see ojo, I have not seen the students.

[00:34:32]And if I see the students, I have not seen Ojo.

[00:34:37]In other words, ojo does not refer to the same people as the subject, the students. Since it does not refer, it is automatically an object.

[00:34:52]The last thing I have in this sentence is the president.

[00:34:58]The president.

[00:35:00]If I see their president, I have actually seen Ojo because Ojo was made their president. Ojo is their president.

[00:35:10]So if I see their president, I have seen Ojo and if I see Ojou, I have seen their president because Ojo was made their president.

[00:35:21]In other words, their president refers to the same person as the object Ojo since it refers it is actually a compliment.

[00:35:34]So that the pattern for this given sentence is S V O C. If you look at the options you will find out that the only correct option for this question is option C. S V O C I believe this is understood. Let us look at another question under sentence patterns so that you will fully understand sentence patterns. This is the question and it reads the beautiful girl has been kidnapped. Option A SVO, option B, SVC.

[00:36:14]Option C, SVA. and option D SV.

[00:36:19]If I ask who has been kidnapped, the answer is the beautiful tall girl. Therefore, the beautiful tall girl becomes the subject.

[00:36:37]Has is a verb.

[00:36:40]Being is a verb.

[00:36:44]Kidnapped is a verb. You will notice that three verbs in this case has been and kidnapped have been used together they form what we call a verb phrase.

[00:37:02]And I told you in this video that in sentence patterns if you come across a verb phrase take it as one V. Take it as one V. Do not separate. Take it as one V. So that the pattern for this given sentence is S V. If you look at the options, you will find out that the only correct option for this question is option D. SV. I believe this is understood. At this point, I want to put two questions on the board under sentence patterns. You guys are expected to answer the two questions and show me your answers in the comment section. I will be in the comment section to see all your answers and I will tell you guys whether you are correct or not. Let us look at the two questions. These are the two questions. The first question reads, the sad man lay on the floor.

[00:38:07]Option A, SVA.

[00:38:10]Option B, SVC, option C, SVO, and option D, SV. The second question reads, allowing them to influence the scores makes assessment less valid. Option A, SVO C, option B, SV, option C, SV A, and option D SO.

[00:38:38]You guys are expected to answer these two questions and show me your answers in the comment section. I will be in the comment section to see all your answers and I will tell you guys whether you are correct or not. This is where we are going to end the class. Please note that we are not done with sentence patterns.

[00:39:02]There's another aspect of sentence patterns we are going to look at with time as time goes by. If you enjoyed this video, then like and share the video so that others can see it and learn from it. I will see you guys in our next class. Bye.