Ordering of Words in Sentences
~8 min read
- Pattern: CDS shows a sentence broken into four fragments (P, Q, R, S) and asks the correct order to form a meaningful sentence.
- Strategy: Identify subject + verb backbone first; then place modifiers, time-and-place phrases, and connectors.
- Adjective order: Opinion-Size-Age-Shape-Colour-Origin-Material-Purpose-Noun ('OSASCOMP').
Sentence ordering questions reward grammatical instinct, not memorisation. Build a strong sense of natural English sentence order through the rules below, then drill twenty PYQs to lock the technique.
Basic Sentence Order
Standard English order is Subject + Verb + Object + Complement + Adverbial.
| S | V | O | C | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravi | painted | the wall | blue | yesterday. |
| The teacher | called | him | a fool | in front of the class. |
Adverbials of time, place and manner: when there are several adverbials, the typical order is Manner-Place-Time.
- He worked quietly (M) in his office (P) all morning (T).
Time-when adverbs can also start a sentence: Yesterday, he came.
Adjective Order
When several adjectives modify a noun, follow the order: Opinion - Size - Age - Shape - Colour - Origin - Material - Purpose - Noun (OSASCOMP).
- A beautiful (opinion) old (age) Indian (origin) silk (material) saree.
- A lovely small round wooden table.
- A delicious hot Italian pizza.
Connector and Reference Clues
Re-arranging sentences (P-Q-R-S) is easier when you spot:
- Pronoun reference: A sentence with 'he/she/it/they' must come after the sentence naming the person/thing.
- Connectors: 'however, but, therefore, moreover' link to a previous sentence and can't begin the sequence.
- Articles: 'a/an' introduces; 'the' refers back. The 'a' sentence usually precedes the 'the' sentence.
- Time markers: 'then, after that, finally' show sequence.
- Logical flow: cause → effect; general → specific; problem → solution.
Inversions for Emphasis
When certain negative or restrictive words start a sentence, the auxiliary moves before the subject (inversion).
| Starter | Inverted form |
|---|---|
| Never | Never have I seen such a sight. |
| Hardly / Scarcely | Hardly had he spoken when she left. |
| No sooner | No sooner did he arrive than it rained. |
| Not only | Not only is he clever but also hard-working. |
| Seldom / Rarely | Seldom do we see such talent. |
| Only then | Only then did I understand. |
| Under no circumstances | Under no circumstances should you open the door. |
Common Word-Order Errors
- Wrong: I always am ready. Correct: I am always ready. (Adverbs of frequency come after 'be' and before main verbs.)
- Wrong: She speaks well English. Correct: She speaks English well. (Adverb after object.)
- Wrong: He gave to me a book. Correct: He gave me a book. OR He gave a book to me. (No preposition between verb and indirect object if it comes first.)
- Wrong: I have it not seen. Correct: I have not seen it.
- Wrong: Yesterday I went to Delhi by train alone. (with 'alone' floating) Correct: Yesterday I went to Delhi alone by train.
CDS/OTA PYQ Examples
Q: Arrange P, Q, R, S to make a meaningful sentence: P: of the patient / Q: the doctors / R: had given up hope / S: in spite of medication
(a) QRPS (b) QPRS (c) PSQR (d) SQRP
Answer: (a) QRPS — 'The doctors had given up hope of the patient in spite of medication.'
Q: Choose the correct order: P: he is one of those / Q: who believe in / R: thoroughness in everything / S: that they do
(a) PQSR (b) PQRS (c) PRQS (d) PSQR
Answer: (b) PQRS — 'He is one of those who believe in thoroughness in everything that they do.' Wait - re-examining: 'P he is one of those / Q who believe in / R thoroughness in everything / S that they do.' Order PQRS reads naturally.
Q: Choose the correct adjective order: He gave her a ___ vase.
(a) Chinese small antique blue (b) small antique blue Chinese (c) blue Chinese antique small (d) antique small Chinese blue
Answer: (b) small (size) antique (age) blue (colour) Chinese (origin) — follows OSASCOMP order.
Q: Improve: I always am happy to meet you.
(a) I am always happy to meet you (b) Always I am happy to meet you (c) I happy am always to meet you (d) No improvement
Answer: (a) Adverb of frequency goes after the verb 'be': 'I am always happy'.
Q: Choose the correct order: P: never / Q: I / R: have / S: seen such a beautiful sunset
(a) QPRS (b) PRQS (c) PQRS (d) QRPS
Answer: (b) PRQS — 'Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset.' (Inversion after 'never'.)
Q: Choose the correct order: P: hardly / Q: when / R: had we entered the hall / S: the lights went out
(a) PRQS (b) PQRS (c) QPRS (d) RPQS
Answer: (a) PRQS — 'Hardly had we entered the hall when the lights went out.'
Drill Ordering of Words in Sentences for CDS/OTA
CDS/OTA-pattern items on Ordering of Words in Sentences with answer keys and explanations.
Start Free Mock TestFrequently Asked Questions
How do I solve P-Q-R-S word ordering quickly?
Look for the verb first - it anchors the sentence. Then attach the subject. Then place the modifiers. Reference clues (pronouns referring back) and connectors (however, but, therefore) tell you the relative order.
Do I need to memorise the OSASCOMP order?
Not by formal rules - native speakers do it by ear. Read aloud and trust your sense of natural rhythm. For exam pressure, knowing 'opinion → size → age → shape → colour → origin → material → purpose' helps.
When does 'never' need inversion?
When 'Never' begins the sentence: 'Never have I seen...' But not in the middle: 'I have never seen...' Same rule for 'hardly', 'scarcely', 'no sooner', 'rarely', 'seldom', 'only', 'not only'.
Where does 'enough' go?
'Enough' as adjective comes BEFORE the noun ('enough food'). As adverb, it comes AFTER the adjective/adverb ('tall enough', 'quickly enough').
Can adverbs go anywhere?
Adverbs of manner usually go at the end ('He spoke well'). Adverbs of frequency go between auxiliary and main verb, or after 'be' ('He has always lived here', 'He is always punctual'). Adverbs of definite time can start or end ('Yesterday, I went' / 'I went yesterday').