Making Statements

A statement gives information. In English, a basic statement usually starts with the subject and then the verb. The sentence ends after the main idea is complete.

Most English statements use subject–verb order. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about. The verb tells the action or state.

Many statements continue after the verb. An object comes after an action verb. A complement comes after be and gives more information about the subject.

The verb be forms statements about identity, age, place, and condition. In the present tense, be changes with the subject. The form of be comes after the subject.

The verb have shows possession and some relationships. In the present tense, have changes with he, she, and it. The verb comes after the subject in a statement.

The verb do can be a main verb in a statement. In the present tense, do changes with he, she, and it. The subject still comes before the verb.

Statements often use pronouns or nouns as subjects. A pronoun replaces a noun. A noun can be a person, place, thing, or name.

A statement is different from a question. In a statement, the subject usually comes before the verb. A statement gives information and does not ask for information.

A positive statement is different from a negative sentence. A negative sentence uses not or a negative form. A positive statement gives information without negative meaning.

You can now make basic English statements with clear word order. You can put the subject before the verb and add an object or complement after the verb. You can also use be, have, and do in simple present statements.