Understanding Afrikaans Sentence Structure

In this lecture, we discussed the structure of Afrikaans sentences, focusing on a simple formula known as STOMPI to master sentence construction.

STOMPI Formula

S: Subject
- Ask the question "Who?"
- The answer gives the subject of the sentence.
T: Verb (Time)
- The golden rule in Afrikaans is that the verb always follows the subject.
- Ask "When?" to determine if time should be included.
O: Object
- Ask "What?" to identify the object.
M: Manner
- Ask "How?" to determine the manner in which the action is done.
P: Place
- Ask "Where?" to specify the location.
I: Infinitive
- Ask "To do what?" to find out the purpose of the action.

STOMPI helps in ensuring correct word order in Afrikaans sentences.
Not all elements (Time, Manner, Place) are necessary in every sentence.
A proper sentence must include at least a subject and a verb.
The verb always follows the subject – this is the golden rule in Afrikaans.
For more complex sentences involving infinitives, be aware that a verb is required.

Use the STOMPI formula as a checklist to ensure correct word order.
Simplify if necessary by omitting non-essential elements like Time, Manner, and Place.
Practicing with this formula can significantly improve sentence construction skills in Afrikaans.

Remember to keep reviewing these fundamentals, and with consistent practice, mastering Afrikaans sentence structure will become easier.