英语的基本句型归纳起来有五种,它们是主-动-补(SVC)结构,主-动结构(SV),主-动-宾(SVO)结构,主-动-宾-宾结构(SVOO),主-动-宾-补(SVOC)结构。当代有些语法书在上述五种基本句型之外,再加两种,这样就形成了七种。七种句型的划分是有其独到之处的,因为状语在由某些动词构成的句子中是不可缺少的成分。现就七种句型分述如下:

　　1.主—动—补结构(SVC)。

   
　　此种结构中的动词皆是连系动词。连系动词带有的主语补语可以是名词词组。形容词词组。介词词组。非限定动词词组或名词性分句等。例如:

　　The twin are as like as two pears.

　　She is in good health.

　　It is getting dark.

　　The machine is out of order.

　　2.主—动(SV)结构。

　　此种结构中的动词一般是不及物动词,在这种句型中,状语并非是结构上不可或缺的成分。例如: 

　　He lives in Shanghai. 

　　We get up early every day. 

　　The train leaves at eight. 

　　They have been singing for half an hour.

　　3.主—动—宾结构(SVO)。   

　　此种结构中的动词都是及物动词,这类动词后面一般只跟一个宾语,因此也叫做单宾语及物动词(monotransitive verb),该句型一般不需状语成分即可表达完整思想。例如:

　　She is reading a novel.

　　We have realized the importance of English.

　　They are watching the football match.

　　He opened the door.

　　4.主—动—宾—宾(SVOO)结构。 

　　此种结构中的动词一般只限于某些双宾语及物动词(ditransitive verb),即能跟有间接宾语和直接宾语的及物动词。例如:

　　He taught us English last year.

　　I call him a taxi.

　　He gave me an English book as a birthday present.

　　I bought him a novel.

　　5.主—动—宾—补(SVOC)结构。  

　　此种结构中的动词只限于某些能带复合宾语的及物动词(complex transitive verbs),即只能跟有宾语和宾语补语的及物动词。例如:

　　They made him captain of the team.

　　I find it impossible to finish the task in time.

　　We find the book very interesting.

　　We have proved the method very effective.

　　6.主—动—状结构(SVA)。   

　　此种结构中的状语不可缺。例如:

　　The radio is near his bed.

　　They are in the classroom.

　　A number of students are in the library.

　　The tape recorder is on the desk.

　　7.主—动—宾状结构(SVOA)。

　　此种结构中的状语不可缺。例如:

　　She put her baby in the cradle.

　　They watched TV in the drawing room.

　　He placed the pot on the stove.

　　They are talking about the film at the meeting.