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]
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