A Transformation Item May Take One of the Following Forms

1. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION

A transformation item may take one of the following forms:

1. Rewriting a sentence, using a different word:

e.g. She is too young to get married. (old)

She is not old enough to get married.

My niece likes to watch television. (enjoy)

My niece enjoys watching television.

We persuaded him not to go. (dissuaded)

We dissuaded him from going.

He paid a visit to the pyramids while he was staying in Cairo. (during)

He paid a visit to the pyramids during his stay in Cairo.

We shall go ahead with the plan even though you object to it. (despite)

We shall go ahead with the plan despite your objection (to it).

2. Rewriting a sentence, beginning with another word:

e.g. Such practices are not to be allowed under any circumstances. (Begin: Under)

Under no circumstances are such practices to be allowed.

We can be such of success only by working hard. (Begin: Only)

Only by working hard can we be sure of success.

I didn't realize she would one day become Miss Hong Kong. (Begin: Little)

Little did I realize she would one day become Miss Hong Kong.

You shouldn't let a stranger into your house on any account. (Begin: On)

On no account should you let a stranger into your house.

He is not only ignorant but also arrogant. (Begin: Not only)

Not only is he ignorant, but he is also arrogant.

Note: A certain word or phrase is sometimes put at the beginning of a sentence for the sake of emphasis because the front position tends to be the most important part of a sentence. Notice the inversion of subject and verb. (i.e. the verb comes before the subject) that the change involves.

3. Combining sentences by using a linking word:

e.g. We arrived half an hour too late. We didn't catch the train. (Combine, beginning with If)

If we had arrived half an hour earlier, we would have caught the train.

He got into his bath. Then, immediately, the telephone rang. (Combine, beginning with No sooner)

No sooner had he got into his bath than the telephone rang.

I had a quick lunch at McDonald's. Then I went back to my office. (Combine, beginning with After I)

After I had had a quick lunch at McDonald's, I went back to my office.

I have to get home before nine. Otherwise my father will be angry with me. (Combine, using If)

My father will be angry with me if I don't get home before nine.

I was waiting at the bus stop. A stranger approached me. (Combine, beginning with While waiting)

While waiting at the stop, I was approached by a stranger.

4. Rewriting a sentence in reported speech:

e.g. She said to me, "Can you help me with the dishes?"

She asked me if (or whether) I could help her with the dishes.

John said to me, "Don't forget what I told you."

John told me not to forget what he had told me.

Miss Pritchard said to me, "I like Hong Kong."

Miss Pritchard told me (that) she liked Hong Kong.

Peter asked, "Where does Mary live?"

Peter asked where Mary lived.

"Never do that again," the teacher said to me. (Begin: The teacher said that)

The teacher said that I should never do that again.

5. Changing a sentence from active to passive voice or vice versa:

e.g. They said Mr. Wong was a good teacher.

Mr. Wong was said to be a good teacher.

People speak English all over the world.

English is spoken all over the world.

They saw the robbers enter the shop.

The robbers were seen to enter the shop.

He was made chairman.

They made him chairman.

I was very much surprised at her behaviour.

Her behaviour surprised me very much.

6. Rewriting a sentence, changing a word from one part of speech to another:

e.g. (adjective ï ð noun)

We are confident of his ability. (confidence)

We have confidence in his ability.

She takes much pride in her son. (proud)

She is very proud of her son.

(adjective ï ð verb)

I can never feel sympathetic towards people who take other people's help for granted. (sympathize)

I can never sympathize with people who take other people's help for granted.

Thank you for your help. (thankful)

We are thankful to you for your help.

(adjective ï ð adverb)

Henry drinking has an adverse effect on one's health. (adversely)

Henry drinking adversely affects one's health.

She dances well. (good)

She is good at dancing.

(adverb ï ð noun)

Mr. Lee is undoubtedly the best employee in our company. (no doubt)

There is no doubt that Mr. Lee is the best employee in our company.

I had much difficulty in following his arguments. (hardly)

I could hardly follow his arguments.

(noun ï ð verb)

On his arrival in Tokyo, he found a telegram waiting for him. (arrived)

When he arrived in Tokyo, he found a telegram waiting for him.

The police is investigating the incident. (investigation)

The police is holding an investigation into the incident.

While making the prescribed changes in the sentence, watch out for any additional changes that the new sentence structure may require.

Make only those changes that are necessary. Unnecessary changes will merely increase your chances of making mistakes.

While making the prescribed and other necessary changes, try to retain the original meaning as far as possible.

EXERCISES

A. Rewrite the following sentences, using the word(s) given in brackets or following the instruction. Keep the original meaning as far as possible, and watch out for any additional changes that the new sentence structure may require. Make only those changes that are necessary.

1. She is too young to get married. (enough)

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2. Young children should not be allowed to use the lift alone under any circumstances. (Begin: Under)

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3. It's kind of you to let me come! (Begin: How)

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4. There is no way we can solve the problem. (impossible)

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5. You can't imagine our astonishment at seeing him there. (astonished)

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6. It is reported that five thousand people have been killed in the earthquake. (Begin: Five thousand people are reported)

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7. Mary is good at dancing. Jane is good at it too. (Combine, using and so)

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8. I realized my mistake only then. (Begin: Only then)

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9. Could you lend me your bicycle? (Begin: May I)

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10. Ten lectures make up the course. (consists)

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11. George said to me, "Don't wait for me." (Rewrite in reported speech)

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12. The teacher said to them, "Did you read the book?" (Rewrite in reported speech)

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13. On the other hand, we do not think John is to blame, either. (neither)

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14. Despite her somewhat undernourished look, she was quite a beautiful girl. (Begin: Although)

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15. When she heard the news, she broke down and cried. (Begin: On)

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16. I told her that I was worried. (how)

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17. We must win the match tomorrow so as to enter the semi-finals. (so that)

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18. They aren't likely to win the game. (Begin: It is unlikely)

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19. I don't know what to do. (Begin: I don't know what I)

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20. I didn't realize how serious the situation was until he told me personally. (Begin: It wasn't)

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21. The food in the restaurant was terrible, and the service was bad. (Begin: Not only)

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22. We shall go ahead with the plan even though you object to it. (despite)

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23. She got angry with me because I did not apologize to her. (Begin: If I had)

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24. The thief saw the policeman coming, ran, and disappeared round the corner. (Begin: Seeing)

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25.   You can't reason with him. (Begin: It's not)

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B.  Rewrite the following sentences, using the word(s) given in brackets or following the instructions. Keep the original meaning as far as possible, and watch out for any additional changes that the new sentence structure may require. Make only those changes that are necessary.

1.   That painting was too expensive. (Begin: The price)

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2.   Only a fool would do such a thing. (Begin: Nobody)

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3.   We want to tell you how much we appreciate your help. (thankful)

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4.   Einstein was not only an eminent scientist but also an accomplished musician. (Begin: Besides)

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5.   He has no consideration for other people’s feelings. (considerate)

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6.   If you have a part-time job, you will be able to study in the evening. (enable)

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7.   I will not give my consent, whatever he may do or say. (Begin: No matter)

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8.   I will have nothing to do with that fellow. (anything)

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9.   Miss Wong is no longer our secretary. (anymore)

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10.   The man could not explain satisfactorily how he came by such a large fortune. (explanation)

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11.   I am not familiar with this district (Begin: This district)

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12.   It was her own fault that she failed in the examination. (to blame)

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13.   I had to pay $1,500 for that refrigerator. (Begin: I was charged)

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14.   She likes Paul better than Tom. (prefers)

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15.   His death was caused by cancer. (died)

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16.   We are afraid to talk to the principal. (dare)

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17.   I was foolish to quarrel with the manager. (Begin: It was)

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18.   I wish you to come tomorrow. (hope)

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19.   I haven’t written to you for a long time. (since)

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20.   I am sorry for answering your last letter so late. (replying) ______

21.   We did not have evidence to prove him guilty. (lacked)

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22.   It was two years ago when I last saw him. (since)

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23.   That watch was the most expensive one in the shop. (more)

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24.   He was so tired that he fell asleep at once. (Begin: So)

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25.   “Let’s go to the cinema,” he said to his girl friend. (Rewrite in reported speech, beginning with He suggested)

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C.  Rewrite the following sentences, using the word(s) given in brackets or following the instructions. Keep the original meaning as far as possible, and watch out for any additional changes that the new sentence structure may require. Make only those changes that are necessary.

1. The manager and the striking workers could not reach an agreement. (able)

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2.  I like children. (fond)

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3.  “Do you like my hat?” I asked him. (Rewrite in indirect speech.)

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4.  We can be sure of success only by working hard. (Begin: Only)

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5.  I have never seen such a ridiculous thing in my life. (Begin: Never)

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6.  The ICAC is holding an investigation into the matter. (investigation)

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7.  Peter and John do not like the idea. (Begin: Neither)

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8.  The teacher scolded him because he did not hand in his assignment. (for not)

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9.  He prefers listening to the radio to watching television. (Begin: He’s rather)

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10.  I lent him twenty dollars. (borrowed)

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11.  Wherever she goes, the star attracts a lot of attention. (no matter)

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12.  He said I had stolen his books. (accused)

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13.  Do you want to join us? (like)

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14.  The bus was full of people. (crowded)

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15.  I went with him to the airport. (accompanied)

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16.  I didn’t ask him to resign. On the contrary, I tried what I could to persuade him to stay. (Combine, Beginning with Far from)

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17.  Herr Schiller taught me German. (learnt)

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18.  He started to read when he was ten years old. (until)

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19.  I was on the point of leaving when he arrived. (Begin: I was just about)

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20.  My cousin sent me a telegram. (received)

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21.  Nearly everyone thinks that there should be death punishment. (most)

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22.  You needn’t come again. (no need)

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23.  Do sit down, Mr. Wong. (Begin: Won’t)

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24.  The rise in production cost will seriously affect our plan. (effect)

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25.  It is possible that some workers were forced to take part in the strike. (Begin: Some workers might)

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D.   Rewrite the following sentences, using the word(s) given in brackets or following the instructions. Keep the original meaning as far as possible, and watch out for any additional changes that the new sentence structure may require. Make only those changes that are necessary.

1.   She is very proud and no one wants to make friends with her. (that)

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2.   Although he tries hard, he will never succeed. (Begin: However)

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3.   Is it necessary for him to stay here? (Begin: Need)

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4.   The students seem to like their new teacher. (Begin: It seems)

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5.   No sooner had he got on the train than it started to move. (Begin: As soon as)

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6.   The inspector told the crowed that they would be arrested unless they dispersed. (If)

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7.   He was suspected to have done away with his wife. (Begin: It was suspected)

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8.   I prefer to stay at home rather than go out in the rain. (Begin: I’d rather)

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9.   According to the schedule, the train will arrive at 9:35. (due)

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10.   She sings beautifully; she dances beautifully too. (Begin: Not only)

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11.   This is the house Shakespeare lived in. (where)

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12.   The police persuaded the crowd to disperse. (Begin: The police persuaded the crowd that)

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13.   He was able to pass the examination with satisfactory results. (succeeded)

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14.   I don’t intend to resign. (intention)

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15.   For want of anything better to do, I agreed to join them. (Begin: As I)