Transformation
Transformation
Transformation
Consider the following simple statements and use appropriate coordinating conjunctions to turn them
into compound sentences.
Examine the following simple statements and use appropriate subordinating conjunctions to convert
them into complex sentences.
Note: Make sure to try transforming the sentences on your own end before looking at the
answers.
Examine the compound sentences below and make them complex by substituting the coordinating
conjunction with the most suitable subordinating conjunction.
Note: Make sure to try transforming the sentences on your own end before looking at the
answers.
Note: Make sure to try transforming the sentences on your own end before looking at the
answers.
Negative
(ii) (a) He is not my brother.
(b) We shall overcome.
Interrogative Sentence
These are the sentences that ask a question.
Example:
(i) Where does he want to go?
(ii) Did they find it very strange?
Imperative Sentence
These are the sentences that make commands, orders, requests etc.
Example:
(i) Stand in a queue.
(ii) Please, be silent.
Exclamatory Sentence
These are the sentences that express strong feelings.
Example:
(i) What a nice puppy it is!
(ii) How beautiful the night is!
The transformation of one form of a sentence into another does not mean the alteration of
its meaning, as we have studied earlier. Let us see the interchange of sentences one-by-
one.
In order to change affirmative sentences into negative and vice-versa, we need to know
the antonyms of some regularly used words. Therefore, a little brush up of antonyms and
synonyms will be of great help in this particular exercise. Some sentences can also be
changed into affirmative or negative by changing the degree of the adjective qualifying the
noun or by changing the adverbs or conjunction used in the sentence. Such sentences will
be dealt with in the respective chapters.
Interchange of Sentences
You are often asked to interchange the type of sentences in the following ways:
(i) Apurva is an industrious girl.
→ Apurva is not a la2y girl.
(ii) I don’t understand why this happens.
→ I fail to understand why this happens.
Example:
(i) You can wait for a minute.
Can’t you wait for a minute?
(ii) Who doesn’t know Hindi in India?
Everybody knows Hindi in India.
Example:
(i) This is a very beautiful sight.
What a beautiful sight this is!
(ii) How wonderfully she has done it!
She has done it wonderfully.
Use/Change of Conjunctions
• If/Unless
• So long as/ Until
• No sooner………..than/As soon as/Hardly………..when/ Scarcely………..when
• Not only………..but also
Example:
(i) If you pass the test, you will be selected.
Unless you pass the test, you will not be selected.
(ii) Hardly had the school bell rung, the students entered the class.
No sooner did the school bell ring than the students entered the class.
Change of Adverbs
• too———to/ so———that
• though/in spite of (despite)
Example:
(i) Manpreet is too humble to disobey her mother.
Manpreet is so humble that she can not disobey her mother.
(ii) Though Sejal was ill, she came for the class.
Despite being ill, Sejal came for the class.
Example:
(i) In spite of several attempts, he could not get the visa for Australia. (Simple)
He attempted several times but he couldn’t get the visa for Australia. (Compound)
Example:
(i) In spite of several attempts, he couldn’t get the visa for Australia. (Simple)
Though he attempted several times, he couldn’t get the visa for Australia. (Complex)
(ii) He carried an umbrella because he did not want to get drenched in the rain. (Complex)
He carried an umbrella for not getting drenched in the rain. (Simple)
(i) He carried an umbrella that he might not get drenched in the rain. (Complex)
He did not want to get drenched in the rain, so he carried an umbrella. (Compound)
(v) The fuel in the aircraft was not sufficient to keep it soaring in the sky.
The fuel in the aircraft was insufficient to keep it soaring in the sky.
(xvi) We cannot exclude these points since they are very important.
We will have to include these points since they are very important.
(xviii) His resources were never abundant but he managed to set up such a huge empire.
His resources were always meagre but he managed to set up such a huge empire.
There are not set rules on how to change an assertive sentence into interrogative and
vice-versa.
However, it absolutely depends upon the meaning and sense of the sentence and this has
to be retained by framing the sentence in a different syntax.
3. Transform the following Assertive sentences into Interrogative sentences.
(i) We cannot live without water.
Can we live without water?
(ix) Radheshyam could not escape the allure of mountain climbing when he went to Nepal.
Could Radheshyam escape the allure of mountain climbing when he went to Nepal?
Note:
We can infer from the above examples that positive-declarative (assertive) sentences are
transformed into negative-interrogative questions whereas the negative-declarative
sentences are transformed into positive-interrogative sentences.
‘What’ is used for the sentences in which the adjective is followed by a noun and preceded
by ‘a’ or ‘an’.
Example:
This is a very beautiful picture.
What a beautiful picture (this is)!
‘How’ is used for the sentences in which the adjective is generally not followed by a noun.
Example:
This is very beautiful.
How beautiful this is!
Note:
Exclamatory sentences end with an Exclamation Mark (!)
Question 2.
You are not supposed to create any disturbance here.
(Begin: Are you …………..)
Answer:
Are you supposed to create any disturbance here?
Question 3.
Can the cat ever sing?
(Begin: The cat …………..)
Answer:
The cat can never sing.
Question 4.
He could not parachute down in the Taj Mahal.
(Begin: Could …………..)
Answer:
Could he parachute down in the Taj Mahal?
Question 5.
How irritating his voice was!
(Use: very)
Answer:
His voice was very irritating.
2. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
How could anybody cool down the sun?
(Use: nobody)
Answer:
Nobody could cool down the sun.
Question 2.
These pieces of furniture are not of superior quality.
(Use: inferior)
Answer:
These pieces of furniture are of inferior quality.
Question 3.
All these instruments were not known to us earlier.
(Use: unknown)
Answer:
All these instruments were unknown to us earlier.
Question 4.
No one could infer what his last lines meant.
(Begin: It …………..)
Answer:
It was difficult for anyone to infer the meaning of his last lines.
Question 5.
Everybody will admit that he did his best.
(Use: deny)
Answer:
No one will deny that he did his best.
3. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
There have been people who have already written about this earlier.
(Begin: You are not the …………..)
Answer:
You are not the first person to write about this.
Question 2.
I am listening to such a miraculous and enchanting music for the first time.
(Begin: I have not …………..)
Answer:
I have not listened to such a miraculous and enchanting music before.
Question 3.
Can you imagine how the people at places having – 24° C temperature survive?
(Begin: You cannot …………..)
Answer:
You cannot imagine how people at places having —24°C temperature survive.
Question 4.
He never expected to receive such a nice gift from his friends.
(Begin: It was …………..)
Answer:
It was beyond his expectation to receive such a nice gift from his friends.
Question 5.
Radhika is unable to accept this shocking news.
(Use: cannot)
Answer:
Radhika cannot accept this shocking news.
4. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
Only a foolish person would be taken in by this trick.
(Begin: None …………..)
Answer:
None other than a foolish person would be taken in by this trick.
Question 2.
The children will sit out in the garden, if the weather is cool.
(Begin: The children won’t …………..)
Answer:
The children won’t sit out in the garden, if the weather is hot.
Question 3.
I’ve never seen so many people in this building before.
(Begin: This is …………..)
Answer:
This is the first time when I see so many people in this building.
Question 4.
There is no success without effort.
(Begin: You will …………..)
Answer:
You will get success if you make an effort.
Or
You will not get success unless you make an effort.
Question 5.
If you are not a member, you cannot borrow books.
(Begin: Only …………..)
Answer:
Only members can borrow books.
5. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
As soon as we lit the candle, the power supply was restored.
(Begin: No sooner …………..)
Answer:
No sooner did we light the candle than the power supply was restored.
Question 2.
The bee is more industrious than all other creatures.
(Use: most industries)
Answer:
The bee is the most industrious of all creatures.
Question 3.
The old woman was too slow to catch the bus.
(Begin: The old woman was so …………..)
Answer:
The old woman was so slow that she could not catch the bus.
Question 4.
“I’ll do it tomorrow”, he promised.
(Re-write in Indirect Speech)
Answer:
He promised to do it the next day.
Question 5.
I prefer reading a book to watching a movie.
(Begin: I would rather …………..)
Answer:
I would rather read a book than watch a movie.
6. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
My mother said I could go with you only if I returned home by five o’clock.
(Use: as long as)
Answer:
My mother said I could go with you as long as I returned home by five o’clock.
Question 2.
Who does this pen belong to?
(Begin: Do …………..)
Answer:
Do you know to whom does this pen belong?
Question 3.
If we light the fire, the rescuers will see us.
(Begin: We will be …………..)
Answer:
We will be seen by the rescuers if we light the fire.
Question 4.
Only a few books were remaining on the shelf when we left.
(Begin: Most …………..)
Answer:
Most of the books had been removed from the shelf before we left.
Question 5.
Heavy rains have caused the cancellation of the outdoor garden party.
(Begin: Due to …………..)
Answer:
Due to heavy rains, the outdoor garden party has been cancelled.
7. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
My mother left a month ago.
(Begin: It has …………..)
Answer:
It has been a month since my mother left.
Question 2.
As soon as the chief guest had seated himself, the play began.
(Begin: No sooner …………..)
Answer:
No sooner had the chief guest seated himself than the play began.
Question 3.
Rajiv said to Arjun, “Is this the book you were reading yesterday”?
(Begin : Rajiv asked Arjun if …………..)
Answer:
Rajiv asked Arjun if that was the book he had been reading the day before.
Question 4.
Everybody has heard of Gandhiji.
(Begin: Who …………..?)
Answer:
Who has not heard of Gandhiji?
8. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
This horse is better trained than yours.
(Begin: Your …………..)
Answer:
Your horse is not as well trained as this.
Question 2.
The thief ran so fast that the police could not catch him.
(Use: too)
Answer:
The thief ran too fast for the police to catch him.
Question 3.
Her attitude often annoys me.
(Use: annoyance)
Answer:
Her attitude often causes annoyance to me.
Question 4.
The child disappeared as soon as the bus stopped.
(Begin: Hardly …………..)
Answer:
Hardly had the bus stopped when the child disappeared.
Question 5.
“Please teach me to cycle”, she asked her brother.
(Rewrite in Indirect form)
Answer:
She requested her brother to teach her to cycle.
Question 6.
In spite of having high fever, the girl came to school.
(Begin: Despite …………..)
Answer:
Despite high fever, the girl came to school.
Question 7.
I prefer going out with friends to staying alone at home.
(Begin: I would rather …………..)
Answer:
I would rather go out with friends than stay alone at home.
9. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
Not many people read for pleasure these days.
(Begin: Few …………..)
Answer:
Few people read for pleasure.
Question 2.
Since her childhood Meera has been good in Mathematics.
(End: …………..childhood.)
Answer:
Meera has been good in Mathematics since her childhood.
Question 3.
It is dangerous as well as illegal to drive a motorcycle without a helmet.
(Begin: It is not …………..)
Answer:
It is not safe and legal to drive a motorcycle without a helmet.
Question 4.
Every one of them was an experienced mountaineer.
(Begin: There was no …………..)
Answer:
There was no inexperienced mountaineer among them.
10. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
Though Reema got an expensive gift she was not happy.
(Begin: In spite …………..)
Answer:
In spite of getting an expensive gift, Reema was not happy.
Question 2.
I have never seen Mr Roy lose his temper.
(Begin: Never …………..)
Answer:
Never have I seen Mr Roy lose his temper.
Question 3.
It doesn’t matter which chemical you put into the mixture first, the results will be the same.
(Use: difference)
Answer:
It doesn’t make any difference which chemical you put into the mixture first, the results will
be the same.
Question 4.
Who does this pen belong to?
(Begin: Do you know …………..)
Answer:
Do you know to whom does this pen belong?
Question 5.
Anil was wrong to lose his temper
(Begin: Anil ought …………..)
Answer:
Anil ought not to lose his temper.
11. Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions given after each.
Make other changes that may be necessary but do not change the meaning of each
sentence.
Question 1.
He will issue the cheque only when he hears from the head office.
(Begin: On …………..)
Answer:
On hearing from the head office only will he issue the cheque.
Question 2.
Father will send you a message if his flight is cancelled.
(Begin: Should …………..)
Answer:
Should his flight get cancelled, your father would send you a message.
Question 3.
There is no success without effort.
(Begin: Whenever …………..)
Answer:
Whenever you make an effort, you get success.
Question 4.
Unless Ria takes care of her health, she will not be able to look after her family.
(Begin: Ria must …………..)
Answer:
Ria must take care of her health, otherwise she will not be able to look after her family.
Question 5.
It is a pity our vacation is not longer.
(Begin: I wish …………..)
Answer:
I wish our vacation were longer.
Question 6.
Raju did not complete the exercise on time.
(Re-write the sentence adding a question tag)
Answer:
Raju did not complete the exercise on time, did he?
Question 7.
Rohan was so terrified of being left: alone in the house that he started screaming.
(Begin: So …………..)
Answer:
So terrified was Rohan of being left alone in the house that he started screaming.
Question 8.
He arrived in school on time even though he stopped for a bit on the way.
(Use: ‘in spite of’ instead of ‘even though’)
Answer:
In spite of stopping for a bit on the way, he arrived in school on time.
5. In the event of you not reaching in time, we will postpone the operation.
6. Despite the train being late, Preetha waited for the train.
7. On account of the new rules and regulations, we were asked to work for an extended
period.
6. The train was late yet Preetha waited for the train.
7. There were new rules and regulations, so we were asked to work for an extended
period.
8. The little boy saw his mom and at once ran to her.
6. Without accepting your mistakes, you will not be able to move forward in life.
8. Stretching itself, the cat crawled into a comfortable position on the couch.
9. Owing to the lack of financial resources, the construction work will not be complete
within the said time. .
10. In spite of trying multiple times, she could not clear the forty-fifth level.
2. If you want to finish your project in time, you should start now.
5. As soon as all her friends saw the bride, they were moved to tears.
6. You will be able to move forward in life only if you accept your mistakes.
9. Because there was a lack of financial resources, the construction work will not be
completed within the said time.
10. Even though she tried multiple times, she could not clear the forty-fifth level.
3. Harold is not keeping well, yet he helps his sister out with the household chores.
4. You must practise well, or you will not be able to perform well.
7. Naina was very ill, therefore we had to take Naina to the hospital.
8. Rahul worked at the grocery store and studied French at the college as well.
10. The bell rang and at once the students assembled on the ground according to their
sports houses.
3. Although Harold is not keeping well, he helps his sister out with the household chores.
4. If you do not practise well, you will not be able to perform well.
5. Since it was cloudy, we went by car.
6. Since my bike was out of petrol, I had to go to the nearest petrol station.
8. Not only did Rahul work at the grocery store but also studied French at the college.
10. As soon as the bell rang, the students assembled on the ground according to their
sports houses.
1. If you don’t leave now, you will get caught in the rain. (Change into a simple sentence)
2. Though we were not sure if we could finish it, we volunteered to help them. (Change
into a compound sentence)
3. Not only did Leslie work on his assignment but also helped me finish mine. (Change
into a compound sentence)
4. As a result of our continuous efforts, we were able to create a working model of the
hospital bed successfully. (Change into a complex sentence)
5. Morgan was a nurse and so her job was to take care of her patients. (Change into a
simple sentence)
6. I looked for Danny everywhere but I could not find him. (Change into a complex
sentence)
7. My cousins and I went for a movie yesterday as we were bored. (Change into a
compound sentence)
8. Tinku wanted to play with his friends and so he finished all his homework quickly.
(Change into a simple sentence)
9. As Balu reached his office, he realised that he had forgotten his files. (Change into a
simple sentence)
10. Bidding goodbye, Mazeeka hugged Raimy for one last time. (Change into a compound
sentence)
2. We were not sure if we could finish it, but we volunteered to help them.
4. Since we put in continuous efforts, we were able to create a working model of the
hospital bed successfully.
8. In order to play with his friends, Tinku finished all his homework quickly.
9. On reaching his office, Balu realised that he had forgotten his files.
10. Mazeeka bid goodbye and hugged Raimy for one last time.