Transformation of sentences
In English, there are mainly three types of sentences.
A simple sentence has just one clause. A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A compound sentence has more than one main clause.
We can change a simple sentence into a compound sentence or a complex sentence. This is usually done by expanding a word or phrase into a clause. In the same way, we can change a complex or compound sentence into a simple sentence. This is done by reducing a clause into a word or phrase.
The transformation of a sentence is all about changing its form without altering its meaning. We can, for example, transform an exclamatory sentence into an assertive sentence or vice-versa. We can also transform simple sentences into complex or compound sentences.
Transformation of an exclamatory sentence into an assertive sentence
Exclamatory sentences are often constructed with how and what.
Exclamations with how
Mainly two structures are used.
How + adjective /adverb + subject + verb
1. How clever he is! (Notice the word order - the adjective or the adverb goes before the subject and the verb goes after the subject.)
2. How intelligent you are!
3. How nice it is!
4. How cold it is!
How + subject + verb
1. How he has changed!
2. How you've grown!
Exclamations with what
We make exclamations with what when the adjective is followed by a noun. Notice that this structure is used even when there is no adjective. Several structures are possible.
What a/an + adjective + singular countable noun
What a lovely girl!
What a nice surprise!
What a rude guy!
What a wonderful sight!
What a/an + singular countable noun
What a surprise!
What a tragedy!
What + adjective + plural / uncountable noun
What terrible weather!
What idiots!
Transformation of an exclamatory sentence into an assertive sentence
The transformation of a sentence means changing its form without altering its sense
What a wonderful opportunity! (exclamatory)
It is a wonderful opportunity. (assertive)
O that I were young again! (exclamatory)
I wish I were young again. (assertive)
How kind of you to help him like that! (exclamatory)
It is very kind of you to help him like that. (assertive)
How noble he is! (exclamatory)
He is truly noble. (assertive)
What a great pleasure it is! (exclamatory)
This is indeed a great pleasure. (assertive)
Exercise
Change the assertive sentences given below into exclamatory sentences.
1. The moonlight sleeps upon this bank very sweetly.
2. Night is very beautiful.
3. It was a wonderful sight.
4. Man is a wonderful piece of work.
5. She is an incredibly beautiful woman.
Answers
1. How sweetly the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
2. How beautiful the night is!
3. What a wonderful sight it was!
4. What a piece of work man is!
5. What a beautiful woman she is! OR How beautiful she is!
***Notice that in all of these structures the verb goes after the subject.
Transformation of an interrogative sentence into an assertive sentence
Study the examples given below.
1. Is not wisdom better than riches? (interrogative)
2. Wisdom is better than riches. (assertive)
3. Why worry about what people say? (interrogative)
4. It is foolish to worry about what people say. (assertive)
5. Did I ever ask you to do it? (interrogative)
6. I never asked you to do it. (assertive)
7. Is there any sense in doing that? (interrogative)
8. There is no sense in doing that. (assertive)
9. What does it matter whether we win or lose? (interrogative)
10. It matters little whether we win or lose. (assertive)
Change the following interrogative sentences into assertive sentences.
1. Is this the kind of dress to wear to work?
2. Is that the way a gentleman should behave?
3. Who does not know the vulture?
4. Can you gather grapes from thorns?
5. Shall I ever forget that experience?
Solusions
1. This is not the kind of dress to wear to work.
2. This is not the way a gentleman should behave.
3. Everybody knows the vulture.
4. You cannot gather grapes from thorns.
5. I shall never forget that experience.
Changing an imperative sentence into an interrogative sentence
Stop talking. (imperative)
Will you stop talking? (interrogative)
Shut the door. (imperative)
Will you shut the door? (interrogative)
Please, get me a glass of water. (imperative)
Will you, please, get me a glass of water? (interrogative)
Get out of here. (imperative)
Will you get out of here or not? (interrogative)
The interrogative is a milder or more polite form of the imperative. However, the addition of or not (see the last example) adds a touch of threat to the command.
Affirmative to negative:
We can change affirmative sentences to negative sentences without changing the meaning of the original sentence. we have to follow some rules in order to transform such sentences.
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 help us. Neg: None but Allah can help us.
Aff: He has only a ball.
Neg: He has nothing but a ball.
Aff: He has only ten taka.
Neg: He has not more than ten 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 Dolon and Dola were excited.
Neg: Not only dolon but also Dola were present.
Rule 4: and ( if join two words) → Replaced by → Not only ----- but also.
Ex: aff: He was obedient and gentle. Neg: He was not only obedient 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 saw 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: Rafiq always attends the class.
Neg: Rafiq 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: Sumi was as wise as Rumi.
Neg: Sumi was not less wise than Rumi.
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: Raven sometimes visits me.
Neg: Raven doesn’t always visit me.
Rule 14: Many → Replaced by → Not a few.
Ex: Aff: I have many friends.
Neg: I donot 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: Dolon has a little riches.
Neg: Dolon doesn’t have much riches.