Put the words in their own order

Languages · Grammar Across Languages · ages 9-11

Name ______________________ Date ____________

What is the English order?
- Subject, verb, object
- Verb, verb, verb
- Object, object, subject
In dogs chase cats, which word is the verb?
- Dogs
- Chase
- Cats
In Japanese the verb often sits last.
Circle one: True False
You read a new tongue and seek its order. What first?
- Find the verb and mark its seat
- Count the pages
- Learn each noun
Which asks a question the English way?
- Dogs cats chase?
- Chase cats dogs?
- Do dogs chase cats?
Which order does English not use?
- Subject, verb, object
- Subject, object, verb
- Verb first in questions
A learner copies English order into Japanese. Why do minds tangle?
- Japanese lacks verbs
- English lacks order
- Each tongue parks words in its own seats
Kim writes cats chase dogs for dogs chase cats. What flipped?
- The sense. The chaser changed.
- The spelling of chase
- The question mark

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Subject, verb, object · Dogs chase cats walks that line.
Chase · Chase is what is astir in the line.
True · Japanese parks its verb at the tail.
Find the verb and mark its seat · The verb's seat unlocks the pattern.
Do dogs chase cats? · Do leads the verb to the front.
Subject, object, verb · English keeps its verb mid line.
Each tongue parks words in its own seats · Order must be relearned tongue by tongue.
The sense. The chaser changed. · Flipped seats swap who chases whom.