Normal Sentence Pattern in English

Subject + Verb + Complement + Modifier

We studied present perfect last week

John and I ate a pizza last night

Subject: The subject is the agent of the sentence in the active voice. It is the person or thing that performs or is responsible for the action of the sentence, and it normally precedes the verb.

NOTE: Every sentence in English must have a subject.

• The subject may be a single noun. Coffee is delicious
• The subject may be a noun phrase. The book is on the table.
• 'It' can be used as introductory subject. It is hard to believe that he is dead.
• 'There' can act as pseudo-subject. There were many students in the room.

Verb: The verb follows the subject in a declarative sentence. It generally shows the action of the sentence.

NOTE: Every sentence in English must have a subject.

• The verb may be a single word. John drives too fast.
• The verb may be a verb phrase. Jane has been reading that book.

Complement: A complement completes the verb. It is similar to the subject because it is usually a noun or noun phrase. However it generally follows the verb when the sentence is in the active voice.

NOTE: Every sentence does not require a complement. 

• A complement answers the question what? or whom?

Modifier: A modifier tells the time, place or manner of the action. Very often it is a prepositional phrase.

NOTE: Every sentence does not require a complement.

• A modifier answers the question when? where? or How? 
• Modifier arrangement in sentence: TIME + PLACE + MANNER.