What is mixed word order?
Just about every language has its "normal" word order for sentences, for questions, for commands, etc. In English, the normal word order for statements (sentences) is subject - verb - direct object/predicate noun or adjective. In questions, the word order is usually changed, primarily moving the verb or part of the verb to the beginning of the clause. In commands, the subject disappears, but the verb and following words are usually in normal word order. Adjectives are normally in front of whatever they are modifying; adverbs are usually as close to the verb or whatever they are modifying as possible.
Here are some examples:
**Statement: He throws the baseball well.
**Question: Does he throw the baseball well?
**Command: Throw the baseball.
The only thing I can think of for "mixed word order" is when normal word order is changed for the purpose of emphasizing some element in the sentence.
Normal word order: I went to the grocery store today.
For emphasis: Today, I went to the grocery store. (As opposed to any other day...)
Here are some websites that may explain things more clearly:
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/searchresults.htm?cx=partner-pub-6263451271854609%3Amova507e79n&cof=FORID%3A10&q=word+order&sa=Search#806
And a quiz!
http://a4esl.org/q/j/ck/wo-01.html
Mixed word order is a sentence structure in which the normal order of words is altered for emphasis or stylistic reasons. It is commonly used in poetry, literature, and sometimes in informal speech. In mixed word order, the typical subject-verb-object (SVO) word order is rearranged. This rearrangement can involve placing the verb before the subject or object, or changing the position of other parts of speech within the sentence.
To understand and identify mixed word order in a sentence, you need to analyze the sentence structure and determine if it deviates from the usual grammatical rules. Here are a few steps to help you identify mixed word order:
1. Identify the subject, verb, and object: Determine which part of the sentence is the subject (the one performing the action), the verb (the action itself), and the object (the recipient of the action).
2. Compare the word order: Compare the word order in the sentence to the usual subject-verb-object (SVO) structure. If the order is altered, it may indicate mixed word order.
3. Determine the purpose: Consider the context and the intention of the writer/speaker. Mixed word order is often used for emphasis, poetic effect, or to create a certain rhythm or flow in the sentence.
Here's an example of mixed word order in a sentence:
Normal word order (SVO): She read the book quickly.
Mixed word order: Quickly, she read the book.
In this example, the typical subject-verb-object (SVO) word order is altered to emphasize the speed at which the action is performed.
By understanding the concept of mixed word order and following these steps, you can effectively identify and analyze sentences with mixed word order.