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UREL-1103, UREL-2303
Transformation of Sentences

This grammatical aspect is being taught so that the students can be able to express same meaning in different
ways. Since this is a practice of using different structures for the same meaning care must be taken to keep the
meaning unchanged while changing the structures.

Some grammatical areas where transformation of sentences is possible:-

Assertive Sentence (affirmative & negative), Interrogative Sentence, and Exclamatory Sentence

An assertive sentence is one, which provides information. It can be either affirmative or negative. The same
information can be given both with affirmative and negative sentence. For example, the following two sentences
express the same meaning-
a.​ This task is difficult.
b.​ This task is not easy.

An affirmative statement can be transformed into negative in following ways:-

1. Sentences having alone or only can be made negative by using none but for person, nothing but for thing and not
more than for number. None but is used at the beginning while not more than and nothing but are placed at the
position where only was placed.
Example: Only the graduates can apply.-----None but the graduates can apply. (here only refers to graduates who
are persons).
He bought only a computer.—He bought nothing but a computer. (only refers to computer which is a thing).
Only fifteen students were present.---Not more than fifteen students were present. (Not more than fifteen students
were present. (Only here refers to number)
2. Sentences having must can be transformed into negative using can not but at the place of must.
Example : We must yield to our fate.—We can not but yield to our fate.
3. Sentences having every + noun can be changed into negative using there is no + noun and but before the verb.
Example: Every rose has a thorn.—There is no rose but has a thorn.
4. Sentences having as soon as can be changed into negative using the structure- No sooner had + sub + pp of the
verb + object + than + second clause
Example : As soon as the thief saw the police, he ran away.—No sooner had the thief seen the police than he ran
away.
5. Sentences having always can be made negative using never at the place of always and negating the affirmative
word.
Example : I always agreed with him. – I never disagreed with him.
6. A sentence of superlative adjective can be made negative using the following structure:- No other + rest of the
sentence following superlative + verb + as + positive adjective+ as + subject.
Example : America is the most powerful country in the world.—No other country in the world is as powerful as
America.
7. A sentence having comparative adjective with than any other/than all other can be transformed into negative
using no other at the beginning. The structure is :- No other + noun in singular with rest of the sentence following
comparative + verb in singular form + as + positive form + as + subject.
Example : Bangladesh is more beautiful than any other country in the world. (affirmative)
No other country in the world is as beautiful as Bangladesh. (negative)

8. A sentence using comparative adj. + than + subject –2 can be transformed into negative using the structure :-
Sub-2 + verb + not + as + positive adj. + as + subj.- 1
Affir.- India is larger than Bangladesh.
Neg. Bangladesh is not as large as India.
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9. A sentence using positive adj. with as-as can be transformed into negative replacing first as with not less and
second as with than.
Example : Affir. Cox’s Bazaar is as beautiful as Sylhet.
Neg. Cox’s Bazaar is not less beautiful than Sylhet.
10. A sentence using comparative adjective with less than can be transformed into negative replacing less with not
as and than with as.
Ex. Affir. He is less ugly than you said.
Neg. He is not as ugly as you said.
11. A sentence using too + adjective + to + verb can be transformed into negative using so + adjective + that (with
can/could not)
Examp. Affir. The old man is too weak to walk.
Neg. The old man is so weak that he can not walk.
12. A simple sentence where the above mentioned things are not found and just uses simple structure like subject +
verb + object/ complement can be transformed into negative using not and negating the following affirmative
word/using the opposite of the following.
Example : Affir. Washim Akram is a good player.
Neg. Washim Akram is not a bad player.

In the table below some opposite words are given-

Word opposite Word opposite
Good Bad Always Never
Friend Foe/enemy Honor Dishonor
Moral Immoral Present Absent
Mortal Immortal Healthy Unhealthy
Regular Irregular Rich Poor
Active Inactive Love Hate
Wise Unwise Remember Forget
Pleasant Unpleasant Grateful Ungrateful
Honest Dishonest Agreed Disagreed
Honesty Dishonesty Sincere Insincere
Doubtful Undutiful/sure Wise Unwise
Pleased Displeased Punctual Late
Happy Unhappy Comfortable Uncomfortable

Transform the following sentences into negative/affirmative: -

1.​ He is as strong as his brother.
2.​ He is less stupid than you told me.
3.​ America is the most powerful country in the world.
4.​ Tomatoes are cheaper than oranges.
5.​ The man was too weak to walk.
6.​ The load was too heavy to be carried.
7.​ He is always remembered by his countrymen.
8.​ He lived a few years.
9.​ Smoking is dangerous for health.
10.​He earns much.
11.​ As soon as the thief saw the police, he ran away.
12.​As soon as the teacher entered the classroom, the students stood up.
13.​Everybody hates a traitor.
14.​Every man hankers after happiness.
15.​Everyone runs after money.
16.​Every citizen loves his country.
17.​We must love our country.
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18.​We must yield to fate.

19.​A student must be disciplined.
20.​We must say our prayer.
21.​Only the science student can apply for the post.
22.​Mary alone went to the Sans of Dee.
23.​Robinson was alone on the island.
24.​Only the moon was visible.
25.​There was only a high school in our village.
26.​Children are fond of only toys.
27.​Everyone loves to go on a foreign tour.
28.​They missed the train.
29.​Rajib failed in the examination.
30.​Traveling is always pleasant.
31.​I was doubtful of his honesty.
32.​I have a few books.
33.​Where there is life there is hope.
34.​She looks after the parents.
35.​Dhaka is bigger than all other cities of Bangladesh.
36.​He is as ferocious as lion.
37.​You are greater than he.
38.​Jerry was always punctual.
39.​The sum is too difficult for me to work out.
40.​ He was only ten.
41.​As soon as the president arrived, all saluted him.
42.​Every student wants to make better result.
43.​Everyone believes in his honesty.
44.​He is as strong as his brother.
45.​Her teeth were as bright as pearls.
46.​A good boy never neglects his lesson.
47.​We did not find the road bad.
48.​No one will deny his fault.
49.​The old sailor was not kind.
50.​He is not dishonored by any body.
51.​ This did not please me.
52.​A wise man can not utter such a word.
53.​His father did not live many years.
54.​He was not solvent.
55.​None but Allah can help us.
56.​I shall never be ungrateful to you.
57.​All can not but submit to destiny.
58.​No sooner had I reached the college than the bell rang.
59.​Jim was never late.
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Assertive –interrogative

An interrogative sentence asks about something. It is also used to put stress on something instead of inquiring
anything. For example, suppose the dishonesty of a person is known to all even to the person who is asking the
question. Yet he asks the question “Is he an honest man?” At that time the question will mean, “He is not an honest
man.” This type of question may be termed as ironic question.

The same meaning can be expressed with both assertive and interrogative sentence. But when an interrogative
sentence is used to express a meaning conveyed by an assertive sentence the purpose of the question will not be
to get any information. It will rather be to assert the information.

Both assertive and interrogative sentences have affirmative and negative forms. They are as follows:

(Affirm. asser.) He is a good student. (Neg.asser.) He is not a good student

(Affirm.inter.) Is he a good student? (Neg.inter.) Isn’t he a good student?

When an assertive sentence is to be transformed into interrogative it should be done in opposite form. So
affirmative assertive should be transformed into negative interrogative and negative assertive should be
transformed into affirmative interrogative as done in the following examples.

(Affirm. asser.) He is a good student. (Neg.asser.) He is not a good student

(Affirm.inter.) Is he a good student? (Neg.inter.) Isn’t he a good student?

1. Usually we make a question by placing the auxiliary/to be or to have verb at the beginning, if it has an auxiliary or
using do/does, did for present and past indefinites. So when an assertive affirmative is to be transformed into
interrogative we need to use not and place the auxiliary at beginning. To transform a negative assertive into
interrogative we need to omit not and place the auxiliary at the beginning.

Asser. He is absent from the meeting. Neg :- Isn’t he absent from the meeting?
Asser. He comes here everyday. Neg. Doesn’t he come here everyday?
Asser. We went to university yesterday. Neg:- Didn’t we go to university yesterday?
Asser. He was not irresponsible. Neg. Was he irresponsible?
Asser. They did not arrive in time. Neg. Did they arrive in time?
2. A sentence with everybody/everyone can be transformed into interrogative by using who does not…
Asser. Everybody wishes to be happy. Neg. Who does not wish to be happy?
Asser. Everyone hates a traitor. Neg. Who doesn’t hate a traitor?

3. A sentence with nobody as subject can be transformed into interrogative by using who…..

Asser. Nobody could ever know what I did. Neg. Who could ever know what I did?

4. A sentence having nothing can be transformed into interrogative with what.

Example: - Friendship is nothing but a name. Inter. What is friendship but a name?

5. A sentence having it does not matter can be transformed into interrogative by using what though.
Example: - It does not matter if we lose the game? Inter. What though we lose the game?
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6. A sentence having if clause can be transformed into interrogative by changing the main clause. The if clause will
remain unchanged.
Asser. If we fail, it is not a matter. Inter. If we fail, is it a matter?

Transform the following sentence into interrogative

1.​ Sonargaon is a big hotel.
2.​ Haji Mohammad Mohshin helped the poor.
3.​ All the teachers love him.
4.​ Prevention is better than cure.
5.​ Addiction to drinking is dangerous.
6.​ I have had my revenge at last.
7.​ They could not drink salty seawater.
8.​ The smell of the melted butter tickled my nostrils.
9.​ I shall never forget your advice.
10.​I never went there.
11.​ Their glory can never fade.
12.​He is not a great fool.
13.​He went there of his own accord.
14.​I have nothing to say.
15.​There was nothing to do but flop down.
16.​There is nothing wrong with me.
17.​Everybody hankers after happiness.
18.​Everybody loves a patriot.
19.​Nobody trusts a liar.
20.​No one hits accurately every time.
21.​None has ever seen such a fine sight.
22.​It does not matter if I miss the train.
23.​If we get tired, we stop.
24.​Nothing is more valuable than honour.
25.​Nothing is sweeter than honey.
26.​It is no use wasting energy in doing unnecessary things.
27.​Courtesy is nothing but a matter.
28.​Telling a lie is a great sin.
29.​Can’t they stay here for a moment?
30.​Won’t you be happy to know that you are selected?
31.​Who don’t want to be happy?
32.​Who likes a terrorist?
33.​Isn’t telling lie a great sin?
34.​Couldn’t you believe my information?
35.​Mustn’t you die?
36.​Didn’t you help me?
37.​Don’t you know him?
38.​Doesn’t he like music?

Exclamatory to Assertive

An exclamatory sentence is one, which expresses sudden emotion and feeling of surprise, joy and sorrow. Usually
it is marked by a mark of exclamation (!).
A feeling conveyed through an exclamatory sentence can also be conveyed through assertive sentence. For
example the sentence “What a fine bird it is! “ is similar in meaning with “It is a very fine bird.”
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We can follow the following rules in transformation of an exclamatory sentence into assertive.

1. A sentence having “what a” can be transformed into assertive by replacing it with a very/a great. (what a +
adjective+ noun = a very +adjective+ noun, what a + noun = a great + noun)

Examp. Ex. What a fine bird it is! ​ ​ Asser. It is a very fine bird.

Ex. What a fool he is! ​ ​ Asser. He is a great fool.

Ex. What a beautiful scenery Cox’s Bazaar has! ​​ ​ ​

Asser. Cox’s Bazaar has a very beautiful scenery.

Ex. What a beauty! ​ ​ ​ ​ Asser. It is a great beauty.

2. A sentence having “How” can be transformed into assertive by replacing it with very,

Ex. How nice your handwriting is! ​ Asser. Your handwriting is very nice.

3. A sentence with “hurrah/alas/ fie” can be transformed into assertive by replacing hurrah with it’s a matter of great
joy that , alas with it’s a matter of great sorrow that and fie with it’s a matter of shame that

Example: Hurrah ! We have won the game. ​ Assert. It’s a matter of great joy that we have won the game.

Alas! I have failed. Assert. It’s a matter of great sorrow that I have failed.

Fie! He looks down upon the poor.​

Assert. It’s a matter of shame that he looks down upon the poor.

4.​ A sentence having “If/would that/ oh that” can be transformed into assertive by replacing them with “I wish.”

Example : If I were a king! ​ ​ Assert. I wish I were a king.

Would that I could be a child again! ​ Assert. I wish I could be a child again.

Oh that I were a poet! ​ Assert. I wish I were a poet.

5. A sentence with Had I can be transformed into assertive by the use of I wish and I had.

Example : Had I the wings of a dove!​ Assert. I wish I had the wings of a dove.

6. When there is no adverb/adjective/adjective+noun in the exclamatory sentence a suitable

adverb/adjective/adjective+noun should be used to make it assertive.

Excla. How time does fly! ​ Assert. Time flies very swiftly.

Transform the following sentences into assertive and vice versa:-

1.​ How sweetly the cuckoo sings! 25.​Had I possessed a lot of wealth!

2.​ What a nice flower the rose is! 26.​It was a very lucky day.

3.​ What a big river the Padma is! 27.​The fob chain of Jim was very nice.
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4.​ What a fool you are! 28.​My hair grows very fast.

5.​ How talkative she was! 29.​The Padma is a very big river.

6.​ How pretty the girl is! 30.​The sun shone very hotly overhead.

7.​ What a fine flower it is! 31.​The next few days were very terrible.

8.​ How exciting the first day in a new country 32.​The sight is very pathetic.
is!
33.​I wish I were young again.
9.​ What a lovely place it is!
34.​I wish I had the wings of a dove.
10.​How beautiful the youngest sister is!
35.​ A little learning is a very dangerous thing.
11.​How fortunate the man was!
36.​The scenery of the place is very charming.
12.​How gently the breeze blows!
37.​ I wish I could fly in the sky.
13.​How soon would I go back to my home!
38.​ It is a matter of shame that he does not
14.​If I could fly in the sky! obey his teachers.

15.​Oh, for the society! 39.​ You are a great a fool.

16.​Oh that I were a king! 40.​ He leads a most unhappy life.

17.​What an idea! 41.​ I wish I could go there in time.

18.​What a fall! 42.​ It is a matter of sorrow that we have

missed him.
19.​Hurrah! We are victorious.
43.​ I wish I had met you five years ago.
20.​If I were a millionaire!
44.​ The pied piper looked very strange.
21.​Alas! I am undone.
45.​ Man is indeed a wonderful piece of
22.​Fie! He does not help his own father. work.
23.​Oh that! The cottage were my home. 46.​ The breeze, I can feel, is very pleasant.
24.​How charming still Italy is! 47.​ It was an exciting game.

48.​ The looks of the street are very

strange.

Simple, Complex and Compound

According to the structure there are three kinds of sentences. They are simple, complex and compound. A
sentence which has only one clause (part of sentence with only one subject and one finite verb) is called simple
sentence. A sentence which has more than one clause; one principal clause and one or more than one subordinate
clause, is called complex sentence. A sentence which has more than one principal clause is called compound
sentence. A principal clause means a clause which can express its complete sense without the help of other part. If
the clause needs the help of other clause to express its meaning completely, it is called subordinate clause.
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Usually we can identify simple, complex and compound sentence with help of following words:-
Simple : in spite of, by + gerund, without + gerund, because of, present participle (being/having/working), in order
to, with a view to, too+ adjective + to, at the time of + gerund etc, till the time of+ possessive adjectives + gerund,
for the reason of + possessive + gerund, the manner of + gerund, before/after + gerund, besides
Complex : If, though , although, as, because, since, so that , that, until, till, unless, when, why, who, which, where,
how, before, after, whether, while etc.
Compound : and , but , or, yet, and so, therefore.

Transformation of a sentence from simple to complex or compound means formation of an independent (principal)
or subordinate clause out of one or more words provided in the sentence. For example in the following sentence:-
I saw a flying bird. This is a simple sentence with only one subject (I) and one finite verb (saw). We can form a
subordinate clause with the word flying , that is, which is flying. Now if we add this clause to the sentence (I saw a
bird which was flying) it will be a complex sentence. We can also form an independent clause from the same word,
that is, it was flying. If we add the clause with the sentence using conjunction and (I saw a bird and it was flying) it
will be a compound sentence.

The following table may be helpful in the formation of subordinate and principal clause:-

Simple (with the verb do) Complex (with do) Compound (with do)
In spite of doing the work/Despite Though he did the work He did the work but/yet
doing the work

By doing the work If you do the work Do the work and

Without doing the work If you don’t do the work/ Unless Do the work or
you do the work
Because of doing the work Since/as/because he did the He did the work and
work

Doing the work Because/when he did the work He did the work and

In order to do the work/ with a view to So that he can do the work And his purpose was to do the work
doing the work/to do the work

Too weak to do So weak that he can not do Very weak and so can/could not do

At the time of doing the work/ at ….. When he did the work He did the work and

Till the time of my doing the work Until I did the work And I did the work

The reason of his doing the wok Why he did the work He did the work and……why

Doer of the work Who did the work Somebody did the work and

The manner of his doing the work How he did do the work He did the work and ……..the manner

Before/after doing the work Before he did the work/after he I did the work and
had done the work
Being As he was He was
Having As he has/had He had/has
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Besides doing the work After he had done the work Not only did the work but also

Some examples worked out:-

Simple Complex Compound
1. He is too weak to move. He is so weak that he cannot He is very weak and so cant move.
move.
2. I saw a bird flying (or a flying I saw a bird in the sky which was I saw a bird in the sky and it was flying. /
bird) in the sky. flying I saw a bird and it was flying in the sky.
The sun had set and we went home./

3. We went home at sunset. We went home when the sun was We went home and it was the time of
setting. setting sun.

4. By working hard you will If you work hard, you will prosper. Work hard and you will prosper.
prosper.

5. Without walking fast you If you don’t walk fast you can’t get Walk fast or you can’t get the train.
can’t get the train. the train.

6. He worked hard in order to He worked hard so that he could His aim was to pass in the examination
pass (with a view to passing) in pass in the examination. and so he worked hard.
the examination.
7. In spite of being poor the Though the man was poor, he was The man was poor but large hearted.
man was large hearted. large hearted.

8. I knew their horrible I knew that they were horribly They were horribly expensive and I knew
expenses. expensive. it.

9. After punishing him they They sent him to Jail after they They not only punished him but also
sent him to jail. (They gave him had punished him. sent him to jail.
both punishment and
imprisonment.)

10. Running away the culprit The culprit escaped himself when The culprit ran away and escaped
escaped himself. he ran away. himself.

11. At the end of the meeting When the meeting ended the The meeting ended and the chairman
the chairman thanked all. chairman thanked all. thanked all.

12. At the whistling of the When the referee whistled the The referee whistled and the game
referee the game started. game started. started.

13. They reached home after When two hours passed they Two hours passed and they reached
passing two hours. reached home. home.
14. Turning round I saw my When I turned round I saw my I turned round and saw my brother
brother waving his hand at me. brother waving his hand at me. waving his hand at me.

Transform the following simple sentences into complex and compound:-

1.​ Sitting on chair the girl was reading the book.
2.​ Finishing the work he went to the play ground.
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3.​ Being poor the man can not buy his cloth.
4.​ Having forgotten him I locked the door.
5.​ Having taken the meat, the beggar went away.
6.​ The sun having set, they stopped playing.
7.​ Without reading you will not pass. .
8.​ In spite of being wounded the tiger was not killed.
10. I am sure of his success.
11. In spite of his making good result, he looked sad.
12. Because of being dull, he failed in the examination.
13. Taking up his bag he left the place.
14. I was happy to see you.
15. His failure is certain.
16. His success made him happy.
17. Besides helping him we sheltered him.
18. Both he and his brother attended the meeting.
19. Everybody knows him to be sincere.
20. The Second World War ended in 1945.

Transform the following compound sentences into simple and complex

1. He is very tired and cannot move.

2. He was ill but he went to the meeting.
3. I paid the bus fare and got down from it.
4. Follow my instructions and get success.
5. Run fast or you will miss the train.
6. Move an inch or you will die.
7. It exists but it is difficult to explain.
8. The man saw the tiger and went away in fear.
9. Gulliver woke up and found many people over his body.
10. Smoking is harmful and so we should not smoke.
11. I bought a pen and it was black.
12. I paid the bill and I had no money in my pocket.
13. Spare the rod and spoil the child.
14. There are many rivers in Bangladesh but she faces scarcity of water.
15. Smoking causes cancer and it is well known.
16. At once the bell rang and the students came out of the class.
17. The mother lost her child and became sad.
18. The thief found the door open and entered the room.
19. The boy has many brothers and sisters but he feels lonely.
20. Only do the right and you will have nothing to be ashamed.

Transformation of positive, comparative and superlative

An adjective or adverb can be used for comparison. Therefore an adjective/adverb is used in three forms. They are
positive, comparative and superlative. These three forms are indicated by the grammatical term degree of
comparison.
When an adjective/adverb is used for comparison to indicate equality of the quality between two persons or it is
used without any comparison a positive form of adjective/adverb is used. Example: Johan is as strong as Siham.
Johan is a strong boy.
When an adjective/adverb is used in connection with two persons and it is indicated that one of them possesses
more/less of the quality in comparison with the other a comparative form is used. Example: Johan is stronger than
Siham.
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When an adjective is used in comparison of more than two persons indicating that any of them has highest of that
quality we use the superlative form of adjective.
Since one meaning can be expressed in all three structures of positive, comparative and superlative transformation
of one sentence into the other is possible in positive, comparative and superlative.
There are usually two structures for each of positive, comparative and superlative degrees. They are as follows:

Positive:
1. No other country in the world is as powerful as America.
2. Very few countries in the world are as powerful as America.

Comparative:
1.​ America is more powerful than any other country in the world.
2.​ America is more powerful than most other countries of the world.

Superlative:
1.​ America is the most powerful country in the world.
2.​ America is one of the most powerful countries in the world.

In the above three groups sentence 1 in positive is transformed into sentences 1 in comparative and superlative
while sentence 2 is transformed into nos. 2 in comparative and superlative.

The following table may be helpful in this regard:

Positive Comparative Superlative
No other Com.+than+any other The+ Superlative adj.
Very few Com+than+most other One of the+ superlative

Structure:
Superlative
1(subj.) 2 (verb) 3 (Degree of comp.) 4 (Extension)
America is The most powerful Country in the world.

Comparative
1 (sub) 2 (verb) 3 (degree of com.) 4 (exten.)
America Is More powerful than any other Country in the world.

The above two-table show that both superlative and comparative follow the same structure. But when the above
sentence is to be transformed into positive the arrangement of the parts of sentences becomes as follows:
No other + 4 (country in the world) +2 (is)+ as+ 3 (positive adjective) (powerful) + as + 1 (America)= No other
country in the world is as powerful as America.
It is to be noted that the phrases very few, most other, one of the are followed by plural nouns and verbs while no
other, any other require singular noun and verbs.
Examples worked out:
Sup. Iron is the most useful of all metals/the most useful metal/the most useful of any metal.
Com. Iron is more useful than any other metal.
Pos. No other metal is as useful as iron. (of any/ of all is omitted in positive)

Sup. Iron is one of the most useful metals.

Com. Iron is more useful than most other metals.
Pos. Very few metals are as useful as iron.

Change the following sentences into positive

1.​ He is the best boy I have ever seen.
2.​ It writes the finest of any pen.
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3.​ This is the most auspicious day of my life.

4.​ Of the four books this is the best.
5.​ Honesty is the best policy.
6.​ The forbidden book lasted longest of all books.
7.​ He is the greatest of those who sacrifice their everything for others.
8.​ This is one of the greatest pictures in the world.
9.​ He is one of the richest men in the village.
10.​Prevention is better than cure.
11.​ I think that his pen is finer than yours.
12.​He was less wise than I thought.
13.​Shakespeare’s dramas were better written than his sonnets.
14.​His face was not less radiant than the full moon.
15.​The more you travel the more you learn.
16.​It is more than honesty.

Change the following sentences into comparative and positive:

1.​ It burns the prettiest of any wood.
2.​ The rose smells the sweetest of any flower.
3.​ Motijheel is the busiest of all commercial areas of Dhaka.
4.​ Time flies the fastest of anything.
5.​ The crow is the ugliest of any bird.
6.​ To control one’s anger is the hardest thing.
7.​ The cuckoo is the most famous of all songbirds.
8.​ To choose one’s profession is the most difficult job.
Change the following sentences into superlative:
1.​ Very few birds are as clever as the crow.
2.​ No other person in the village is as victorious as he.
3.​ Nothing passes as fast as time.
4.​ Nothing is as costly as pearls.
5.​ Very few boys are as healthy as Rahim.
6.​ No other student works as hard as he.
7.​ Very few girls are as lazy as she.
8.​ Akber was greater than all other kings of India.
9.​ Mangoes taste sweeter than most other fruits.
10.​Aurongzeb was more pious than any other Mughal emperor.
11.​ He is more truthful than all other persons in the village.
12.​Foreign travel is more pleasant than most other things in the world.