Transformation of Sentences

 Affirmative to negative: 

Rule 1: Only/ alone/ merely → Replaced by → None but(person)/ nothing but(things)/ not more than or not less than(number)

Ex: Aff: Only Allah can save us. Neg: None but Allah can save  us.

Aff: He has only a pen. Neg: He has nothing but a pen.

Aff: He has only twenty taka. Neg: He has not more than twenty taka.

Rule 2: Must → Replaced by → Cannot but/ Cannot help+ (v+ing).

Ex: Aff: We must obey our parents. Neg: we cannot but obey our parents/ we cannot help obeying our parents.

Rule 3: Both----and → Replaced by → not only ---- but also.

Ex: Aff: Both Ria and Suchi were excited.

Neg: Not only Ria but also Suchi were excited.

Rule 4: and ( if join two words) → Replaced by → Not only ----- but also.

Ex: aff: He was loyal and gentle. Neg: He was not only loyal but also gentle.

Rule 5: Everyone/ everybody/every person/ (every + common noun)/all → Replaced by → There is no + attached word + but.

Ex: Aff: Every mother loves her child.

Neg: There is no mother but loves her child.

Rule 6: As soon as → Replaced by → No sooner had ----- Than.

Ex: Aff: As soon as the thief saw the police, he ran away. Neg: No sooner had the thief seen the police, he ran away.

Rule 7: Absolute Superlative degree → Replaced by → No other+ attached word+so+ positive form+ as+subject.

Ex: aff: Dhaka is the biggest city in Bangladesh.

Neg: No other city is as big as Dhaka in Bangladesh.

Rule8: Sometimes affirmative sentences are changed into negative by using opposite words. Before the word, off course ‘not’ is used.

Ex: Aff: I shall remember you. Neg: I shall not forget you.

Rule 9: Always → Replaced by → Never.

Ex: aff: Rakib always attends the class. Neg: Rakib never misses the class.

Rule 10: Too ---- to → Replaced by → so ---that+ can not/could not(in past).

Ex: Aff: He is too weak to walk. Neg: He is so weak that he cannot walk.

Rule 11: As – as → Replaced by → Not less – than.

Ex: Aff: Ria was as wise as Rimi. Neg: Ria was not less wise than Rimi.

Rule 12: Universal truth are change by making them negative interrogative.

Ex: Aff: The Sun sets in the west. Neg: Doesn’t the Sun set in the west.

Rule 13: Sometimes → Replaced by → Not + always.

Ex: Aff: Rimon sometimes visits me. Neg: Rimon doesn’t always visit me.

Rule 14: Many → Replaced by → Not a few.

Ex: Aff: You have many friends. Neg: you don't have few friends.

Rule 15: A few → Replaced by → not many.

Ex: Aff: Bangladesh has a few scholars. Neg: Bangladesh doesn’t have many scholars.

Rule 16: Much → Replaced by → A little.

Ex: Aff: He belongs much money. Neg: He doesn’t belong a little money.

Rule 17: A little → Replaced by → not much.

Ex: Aff: Ria has a little riches. Neg: Ria doesn’t have much riches.

ASSERTIVE TO INTERROGATIVE

Rule 1: If the sentence are in the affirmative you have to change it into negative interrogative. If it is in negative then you have to change it into bare interrogative.

Ex: Ass: She was very polite.

Int: Wasn't she very gentle?

Aff: He is not an honest person?

Int: Is he an honest person?

Rule 2: No auxiliary verb in sentence →→ Change it by using →→ Do/does/did Or Don’t/doesn’t/didn’t.

Ex: Ass:He plays cricket.

Int: Does he play cricket?

Ass: They did not play football yesterday.

Int: Did they play football yesterday?

Rule3: Never → Replaced by → Ever.

Ass: I never drink coffee.

Int: Do I ever drink coffee?

Rule 4: Every body/everyone/ All → Replaced by → Who + Don’t/ Doesn’t/ Didn’t

Ex: Everybody wishes to be happy.

Int : Who doesn’t wish to be happy?

Rule 5: Every + noun → Replaced by → Is there any + noun+ Who don’t/doesn’t/didn’t.

Ex: Ass: Every man wishes to be happy.

Int: Is there any man who doesn’t wish to be happy?

Rule 6: No body/ no one / None → Replaced by → Who.

Ex: Nobody could count my love for you.

Int: Who could ever count my love for you?

Rule 7 : There is no → Replaced by → Is there any/ Who(person)/ What( thing).

Ex: Ass: There is no use of this law.

Int: What is the use of this law.

Ass: There is no man happier than Robin.

Int: Who is happier than Robin?

Rule 8: It Is no → Replaced by → Is there any/Why.

Ex: Ass: It is no use of taking unfair means in the exam.

Int: Why take unfair means in the exam? Or,

Is there any use of taking unfair means in the exam?

Rule 9: It Doesn’t matter → Replaced by → what though/ Does it matter.

Ex: Ass: It does not matter if you fail in the exam.

Int: What though if you fail in the exam?

Interrogative to assertive is to be done doing Vice versa.

Exclamatory sentence to Assertive sentence

Rule1: Subject and Verb of exclamatory sentence are to be used as the subject and verb of assertive sentence at the outset of the sentence.

How/what → Replace by → Very(before adjective)/ Great(before noun)

Ex: How fortunate you are!

Ass: You are very fortunate.

Exc: What a fool you are!

Ass: You are a great fool.

Rule 2: Sometimes the subject and verb may be eclipsed.

Ex: What a wonderful scenery!

Ass: It is a very wonderful scenery.

Ex: What a pity!

Ass: It is a great pity.

Rule 3: Hurrah/ Bravo → Replace by → I/we rejoice that/ It is a matter of joy that.

Ex: Hurrah! We have won the game.

Ass: It is a matter of joy that we have won the game.

Rule 4: Alas → Replace by → I/we Mourn that/ It is a matter of sorrow or grief that.

Ex: Alas! He has failed.

Ass: We mourn that he has failed.

Rule 5: Had/were/If /Would that(at the out set) → Replaced by → I wish + subject again + were/ had+ rest part.

Ex: Had I the wings of a bird!

Ass: I wish I had the wings of a bird.

Ex: Were I a bird!

Ass: I wish I were a bird.

Ex: If I were young again!

Ass: I wish I were young again.

Ex: would that I could be a child!

Ass: I wish I could be a child.

Assertive to exclamatory is to be done doing Vice versa.

Imperative to assertive

Rule 1: Add subject + should in doing assertive.

Ex: Do the work.

Ass: You should do the work.

Rule 2: Please/kindly → Replaced by → you are requested to.

Ex: Please, help me.

Ass: You are requested to help me.

Rule 3: Do not → Replaced by → You should not.

Ex: Do not run in the sun.

Ass: You should not run in the sun.

Rule 4: Never → Replaced by → You should never.

Ex: Never tell a lie.

Ass: You should never tell a lie.

Rule 5: Let us → Replaced by → We should.

Ex: Let us go out for a walk.

Ass: We should go out for a walk.

Rule 6: Let + noun/pronoun → Replaced by → Subject + might.

Ex: Let him play chase.

Ass: He might play chase.

Change of degree

Rule1: If the superlative degree says about the best thing then the rule is:-

For comparative,use –

subject +verb + adjective/adverb(comp. form) + Than any other + rest part

For positive, use-

No other + rest part after supr. Degree + verb + so/as + positive form of adj/adv + as + sub.

Ex: Su: Rakib is the tallest boy in the class.

Com: Rakib is taller than any other boy in the class.

Pos: No other boy in the class is as tall as Rakib.

Rule 2: If In superlative degree ‘One of the’ is transformed in this way:

Comparative: Sub+verb +comp. form +than most other+ Rest part.

Positive: Very few+ rest part after supr. Degree + verb + so/as + positive form of adj/adv + as + sub.

Ex: Rabindranath Tagore was one of the greatest poets in Bangladesh.

Comp: Rabindranath Tagore was greater than most other poets in Bangladesh.

Positive: Very few poets in Bangladesh were so great as Rabindranath Tagore.

Note: Superlative: Of all/ of any

Comparative: Than all other/than any other.

Positive: It does not exist.

Ex: Sup: Mr. Taleb is the oldest of all men in the village.

Com: Mr. Taleb is older than all other men in the village.

Pos: No other man is as old as Mr. Taleb.

Rule 3: Simple comparative is transformed into positive by using

(not so + adj/adv+as)/ (so+adj/adv+as)if negative. Second noun or pronoun is used first.

Ex: 1. com: Rina is wiser than Reba.

Pos: Rina is not so wise as Reba.

2. Com: Ria is not wiser than Rina.’

Pos: Rina is as wise as Ria.

Rule 4: No/not less --- than is transformed into positive by using as +adj/adv+ as

Ex: com: Ambreen is not less meritorious than Sumona.

Pos: Ambreen is so meritorious as Sumona.

Complex →→→ Simple →→→ compound

Rule 1:Since/As/When Change is to be made in the subordinate clause .

When subjects are same.

Simple: 1) Omit since/as/when.

2) (Verb+ing) of the subordinate clause.

3) then write the rest part.

4) use subject with the principal clause.

5) Principal clause remains unchanged.

Ex: Since the girl worked hard, he made a good result.

Simple: Working hard, the girl made a good result.

Compound: 1) Omit since /as /when

2) write down the rest part.

3) join clauses by using and, and so, and therefore

4) write the main clause unchanged.

Ex: The girl worked hard and made a good result.

Rue2: In case of Be verb in subordinate clause:

1) Use being/ Because of + Pronoun/noun(possessive form)+ being.

Ex: Since he was weak, he could not work hard.

Simple: Because of his being weak, he could not work hard.

Compound: He was weak and therefore could not work hard.

Note: and therefore, is used for showing reasons.

Rule3: When the subject of clauses are different:

Simple:

1)Subject of subordinate clause

2) Verb+ing ( be verb → being; Have verb → having)

Ex: Since the weather was foul, we did not go out.

Sim: The weather being foul, we did not go out.

Compound: use ‘and therefore’to join two clauses.

Ex: The weather was foul and therefore we did not go out.

Rule 4: If,’ is Replaced by – ‘by + (verb+ing)

Ex: If you work hard, you will succeed in life.

Simple: By working hard, you will pass in the exam.

Compound: 1) Omit if+subject.

2. use ‘and’ to join two clauses.

Ex: Compound: Work hard and you will pass in the exam.

Rule 5: Simple: If-not/unless, is replaced by, - without+( verb+ing)

Ex: Complex: If you do not work hard, you will fail in the examination.

Sim: Without working hard, you will fail in the examination.

Compound: Use or’/otherwise to join two clauses.

Ex: Work hard or you will fail in the examination.

Rule 6: Simple: Though’ is replaced by In spite of+ Possessive form of the subject+ (verb+ing)

Ex: Com: Though he tried heart and soul, he could not pass  in the exam.

Sim: In spite of his trying heart and soul he could not pass in the exam.

Compound: Use ‘but’ to join two clauses.

Rule 7: Simple: So that is replaced by to/in order to.

Ex: Comp: He works hard so that he may prosper in life.

Sim: He works hard to/in order to prosper in life.

Compound: “and want/wants to” is used to join two clauses.

Ex: He works hard and wants to prosper in life.

Rule 8: Simple: ‘so + adjective + that’ is replaced by ‘Too + adjective + to’

Ex: The boy is so foolish that he cannot understand it.

Sim: The boy is too foolish to understand it.

Compound: Use ‘And Therefore’ to make it a compound sentence.

Ex: He is so foolish and therefore cannot understand it.

Rule 9: When(if mentions time) is replaced by

For short time – At

For month or Season – In

For age--- at the age of.

Ex: She woke up when it was midnight.

Simple: She woke up at midnight.

Com: When it is spring, the cuckoo sings.

Sim: In Spring the cuckoo sings.

Con: When Sarika was five she went to school.

Sim: At the age of five Sarika went to school.

Compound: Use and to join clauses.

Ex: She woke up and it was midnight.

Rule 10: Simple: If the clause says about a continuous fact then use-

At the time of instead of ‘When’

Ex: When I was eating, the phone rang.

Sim: At the time of my eating, the phone rang.

Compound: Use ‘And’.

Ex: I was eating and the phone rang.

Rule 11: Simple: Noun clause can be replaced by noun.

Ex: Com: He admitted that he was guilty.

Sim: He admitted his guilt.

Com: That he is honest is known to all.

Sim: His honesty is known to all.

Compound: Use ‘And’.

Ex: He is honest and it is known to all.

Rule 12: Simple: If Complex sentence is made with relative pronoun(who, what, which, that), omit it and make (verb+ing).

Com: The Doctor who is working in the hospital is known to all.

Sim: The doctor working in the hospital is known to all.

Note: If the verb is in the past participle it remains unchanged.

Ex: The picture which was drawn by Ria is very fine.

Sim: The picture drawn by Ria is very fine.

Rule 13: Simple: Adjective Clause is changed into - Adjective, Past participle Phrase, Noun in apposition, infinitive.

Adjective:

ex: A man who is drowning catches at a straw.

Sim: A drowning man catches at a straw.

Compound: A man is drowning and so catches at a straw.

Past participle phrase:

Ex: The answer that he wrote was not correct.

Sim: The answer written by him was not correct.

Compound: He wrote the answer and it was not correct.

Gerundial Infinitive:

Ex: I have no money that I can lend you.

Sim: I have no money to lend you.

Compound: I have no money and I cannot lend you.

Rule 14: In the compound “ not only---- But also” is Changed by “Besides + (Verb +ing)”

In the simple.

Ex: Mr.Noor not only teaches us English but also writes books.

Sim: Besides teaching us English, Mr. Noor Writes books.

Example-1: 

• When can their glory fade?

This is an interrogative sentence.

This sentence can be transformed into an assertive sentence as follows.

• Their glory can never fade.

Example-2: 

• Was he not a villain to do such a deed?

This interrogative sentence can be transformed into an assertive sentence as follows.

• He was a villain to do such a deed.

Example-3: 

• Who can touch ditch without being defiled? (Interrogative Sentence)

• No one can touch ditch without being defiled. (Assertive Sentence)

You can see How the Transformation-of-Sentence takes place into the following version without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Example-4: 

• Who does not know him? (Interrogative Sentence)

• Everybody knows him. (Assertive Sentence)

Example-5: 

• Is this the kind of dress to be worn for a school function? (Interrogative Sentence)

• This is not the kind of dress to be worn for a school function. (Assertive Sentence)

In this same way an assertive sentence can be transformed into an interrogative sentence.

Example-1: 

• We were not sent to this world simply to make money. (Assertive Sentence)

• Were we sent to this world simply to make money? (Interrogative Sentence)

Example-2: 

• I never forget those happy days. (Assertive Sentence)

• Shall I ever forget those happy days? (Interrogative Sentence)

Probable as well as important Transformation of Sentences!

Transformation of sentences:

Grammar

In transformation of sentences question will be set from the following areas.

a) Statements to Questions and vice-versa.

b) Statements to commands, request and vice-versa.

c) Statements to Exclamations and vice-versa.

d) Affirmative to Negative & vice-versa.

e) Changing degrees of adjectives.

Transform the following sentences as directed.

1. a) You should not find fault with others. (Imperative)

b) Maldives is one of the smallest countries in Asia. (Comparative)

c) Se leads a very unhappy life. (Exclamatory)

d) Every rose has thorn (Negative)

e) Nobody trusts a liar. (Interrogative)

2. a) Very few animals are so cunning as the fox. (Superlative)

b) The problem was so difficult that we could not solve. (Affirmative)

c) Their glory can never fade. (Interrogative)

d) He plays football. (Imperative)

e) Every mother loves her child. (Negative)

3. a) I wish I had the wings of a dove. (Exclamatory)

b) As soon as he saw me, he left the place (Negative)

c) He has only a few friends, (Negative)

d) Very few cities of the world are as famous as London. (Superlative)

e) Never tell a lie. (Assertive)

4. a) A little learning is a dangerous thing (Exclamatory)

b) This pen is not as fine as mine. (Comparative)

c) Her parents always like her. (Negative)

d) No sooner had he seen the bear he ran away. (Affirmative).

e) Everybody likes an honest man. (Interrogative)

5. a) Truthfulness is one of the greatest virtues in a man's life. (Comparative)

b) Cricket is a very exciting game. (Exclamatory)

c) Nothing can prevent me from doing this (Interrogative)

d) He went to school. (Negative)

e) I cannot help going there. (Affirmative)

6. a) A plane flies faster than a bird. (Positive)

b) He was always punctual. (Negative)

c) If I could sing a song! (Assertive)

d) When can their glory fade? (Assertive)

e) I can never forget you. (Interrogative)

7. a) Bangladesh is smaller than many other countries in the world. (Positive)

b) You should look before you leap. (Imperative)

c) The rose is a very beautiful flower. (Exclamatory)

d) He never played football. (Interrogative)

e) Everybody lives in a society. (Interrogative)

Transform the following sentences as directed.

8) a) The problem is so difficult that we cannot solve it. (Affirmative)

b) None bits accurately every time. (Interrogative)

c) The rice of Dinajpur is finer than that of Rajshahi. (Positive)

d) Everybody lives in the society. (Negative)

e) There is no mother but loves her child. (Affirmative)

9) a) Cricket is one of the most popular games in Bangladesh. (Positive)

b) I shall never forget you. (Affirmative)

c) His handwriting is very clear. (Exclamatory)

d) We do not hate the poor. (imperative)

e) I never drink tea. (Interrogative)

10) a) How exciting the football match was! (Assertive)

b) Tigers are ferocious animals. (Interrogative)

c) Dhaka is an old city. (Negative)

d) If I could enter the place! (Assertive)

e) He is the wisest man in the village. (Positive)

11) a) We should settle the dispute. (Imperative)

b) He was a man of great intelligence. (Negative)

c) A scholar is not always right (Affirmative)

d) Very few metals are as useful as iron. (Comparative)

e) Nobody can escape death. (Interrogative)

12) a) Computer is the blessing of modern science. (Negative)

b) Cricket is a very exciting game. (Exclamatory)

c) Nothing can prevent me from doing then. (Interrogative)

d) She roasted the duck. (Interrogative)

e) Very few natural calamities are as dangerous as earthquake. (Superlative)

Answer Sheet

1) a) Don’t find fault with others.

b) Maldives is smaller than most other countries in Aisa.

c) What an unhappy life she leads!

d) There is no rose but has thorn.

e) Who trusts a liar?

2) a) The fox is one of the most cunning animals.

b) The problem was too difficult for us to solve.

c) Can their glory ever fade?

d) Let him play football.

e) There is no mother but loves her child.

3) a) If I had the wings of a bird!

or,Had I the wings of a bird!

b) No sooner had he seen me than he left the place.

c) He does not have many friends.

d) London is one of the most famous cities in the world.

e) You should never tell a lie.

4) a) What a dangerous thing a little learning is!

b) My pen is finer than this.

c) Her parents never dislike her.

d) As soon as he saw the bear, he ran away.

e) Who doesn’t like an honest man?

5) a) Truthfulness is greater than most other virtues in a man’s life.

b) What an exciting game cricket is!

c) Can anything prevent me from doing this?

d) He was not absent from the school.

e) I must go there.

6. a) A bird doesn’t fly as fast as a plane.

b) He was never late.

c) I wish I could sing a song.

d) Their glory can never fade.

e) Can I ever forget you?

7. a) Very few countries in the world are so small as Bangladesh.

b) Look before you leap.

c) What a beautiful flower the rose is!

d) Did he ever play football?

e) Who doesn’t live in the society?

8. a) The problem is too difficult for us to solve.

b) Who hits accurately every time?

c) The rice of Rajshahi is not so fine as that of Dinajpur.

d) There is nobody but lives in the society.

e) Every mother loves her child.

9. a) Very few games in bangladesh are as popular as cricket.

b) I shall always remember you.

c) How clear his handwriting is!

d) Let us not her the poor.

e) Do I ever drink tea?

10. a) The football match was very exciting.

b) Are tigers not ferocious animals?

c) Dhaka is not a new city.

d) I wish I could enter the place.

e) No other man in the village is as wise as he.

11. a) Let us settle the dispute.

b) He was not a fool at all.

c) A scholar is sometimes wrong.

d) Iron is more useful than most other metals.

e) Can anybody escape death?

12. a) Computer is not a curse of modern science.

b) What an exciting game cricket is!

c) Can anything prevent me from doing this?

d) Didn’t she roast the duck?

e) Earthquake is one of the most dangerous natural calamities.

Prepared by Noor E Alam

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