The word order of normal English sentences is subject, verb, andobject (if there is one).
The girls eat. The boys are going to the store. Joe throws the ball. Anna drives a car.
The main exception when you are asking a question, when the verb comes first:
Are the girls eating? Are the boys going to the store? Does Joe throw the ball? Does Anna drive a car?
In most cases, you serve yourself and your reader best when you keep the subject and the main verb together:
Poor: I, tired as I was, answered the phone.
Better: Although I was tired, I answered the phone.
Poor: A cat, although more independent than a dog, can be a wonderful pet.
Better: A cat can be a wonderful pet, although cats are more independent than dogs.
In general, your sentences will be clearest when you keep related words and groups of words together. Click here to read more about dangling modifiers.
