REPHRASING

STRUCTURES

1.Writing in English is quite difficult. It is quite difficult (for me) to write

in English.

2. The bookcase was so heavy that he The bookcase was too heavy
couldn’t lift it. for him to lift.

3.He blamed me for his mistakes, It was unfair of him to blame me

which was unfair of him. for his mistakes .

4.Tom and Sue invited me to stay with It was really nice of Sue and
them for a few days, which was really Tom to invite me to stay with them for
nice of them a few days.

5.The water was so cold that the The water was too cold for the
children could not swim in it. children to swim in .

6.These trousers are so dirty that I These trousers aren’t clean

can’t wear them. enough for me to wear .

This coffee is too hot for me to

7.I can’t drink this coffee. It’s too hot. drink.

8.You don’t need to shout. I’m not There’s no need for you to
deaf. shout.

9.You don’t need to come if you don’t There’s no need for you to 
want to. come.
Nota: we use (for sb.) when we talk about sth. that is a part from the person, ej. sth. is difficult, heavy,
cold, dirty, hot. etc.

we use (of sb.) when we talk about sth. that is part of the person, ej. sb. made sth. unfair, nice, etc.

PREFER AND RATHER

1.Can we watch the film on the other I’d prefer to watch the film on
channel? the other channel

I’d rather watch the film on the

other channel

2.He prefer walking to going by car He would rather walk than go by

car
He would prefer to walk rather
than go by car

3.I’d prefer you to pay me straightaway I’d rather you paid me

straightaway

I’d rather you did these

4.I’d prefer you to do these exercises exercises at home 
at home

5.Would you mind not smoking in I’d rather you didn’t smoke in
here? here 

Note: I prefer sth. to sth. else

I prefer doing sth. to doing sth. else

I prefer to do sth. rather than do sth. else

I’d prefer to do sth. rather than do sth. else

 I’d rather do sth. than do sth. else

I’d rather you did sth.

PASSIVE VOICE

1. The robbers made the bank The bank manager was made to
manager hand over the money. hand over the money.

2.Given the choice, how many hours a If you had the choice how many
day would you work? hours a day would you work?
If you were given the choice how If they gave you the choice how
many hours a day many hours a day
would you work? would you work?
Note: The professor explained the students the exercise
The students were explained the exercise
The exercise was explained to the students
Peter builds a house (obj. -> no obj. no passive sentence)
A house is built by Peter

CAUSATIVE... (HAVE/GET)
She was six when her tonsils
1. A doctor took her tonsils out when were taken out by a doctor.
she was six. She had her tonsils taken out by
a doctor.

2.You look different. Has someone cut You look different. Have you
your hair? had your hair cut?

3.I’m going to the beauty salon. They I’m going to the beauty parlour
are going to wax my to have my legs waxed.
legs.

4.A mechanic repaired Sue’s car Sue had her car repaired by a
yesterday mechanic yesterday.

5.The garage is going to repair the car We are going to have our car
for us next week repaired by the garage next
week.

6.I went to the dentist’s yesterday. He I went to the dentist’s yesterday

took my wisdom tooth to have my wisdom
out. tooth taken out.

7.My shoes need reheeling. I must get my shoes reheeled.

8.Someone is coming to clear our We will have our garden cleared

garden next week. next week.

9.A shoe repairer mended Julia’s Julia had her boots mended.
boots.

Nota: Have/Get + object + past participle

Made + to + infinitive

REPORTING PASSIVE VOICE

1. It is believed that the terrorist is The terrorist is believed to be
hiding somewhere in the hiding somewhere in the
city. city.

2.It’s believed that the terrorists are The terrorists are believed to be
somewhere in the city. somewhere in the city.

3.It is reported that the bomb explosion The bomb explosion is reported
killed over 200 people. to have killed over 200
people.

4.It is alleged that the football hooligan The football hooligan is alleged
kicked a policeman. to have kicked a
policeman.

5.It’s thought that the plane crashed The plane is thought to have
into a mountain. crashed into a mountain.

6.It is believed that the President is The President is believed to be

planning to resign. planning to resign.

Nota: They said that women live...

Impersonal passive, It is said that women live...
Impersonal passive, Women are said to live

REPORTED SPEECH

1. ”How many survivors are there?” The journalist asked how many
Asked the journalist. survivors there were.

2.”You must allow me to pay for lunch”, He insisted on paying for lunch.
he said.

LINKING WORDS
 1. They had to postpone the They had to postpone the
match because it was raining match because of the rain

2.I’ve packed it in a strong box I’ve packed it in a strong

because someone may drop it box in case someone drops it

3.If she should feel worse during In case she feels worse
the night, give her these during the night, give her these
tablets tablets

4.She is afraid to go out at night She is afraid to go out at

for fear of being mugged night in case she is mugged
She is afraid to go out at
night in case of being mugged

5.We won’t be going away this We won’t be going away

bank holiday weekend if the this bank holiday weekend
weather is bad unless the weather is good

6.Scientists are about to make a Scientists are on the point

vital breakthrough in the of making a vital
search for a cure of Aids. breakthrough in the search for a
cure of Aids.
What is the point of
7.Why argue when nothing can arguing….
be done about it?

9.Scientists are on the point of Scientists are about to

making a vital breakthrough make a vital breakthrough

10.They watched telly, Once they watched telly

afterwards they went to bed they went to bed
Once Terry gets over his
11.Terry will get over his illness. illness, his work will improve
Then his work will improve

12.Go to the check-in desk As soon as you arrive go

immediately on arrival to the check-in desk

13.Even though the car is old it Despite its old age the
goes very fast car goes very fast

14.Although he was badly Despite being badly

injured he managed to get out of the injured he managed to get out of
car the car

15.I decided to accept the job I decided to accept the

although the salary was low job in spite of the low salary
 I decided to accept the salary was low
job in spite of the fact that the

16.Although it was raining In spite of the fact that it was

heavily they carried on playing raining heavily they carried on playing

CONDITIONALS

1.We couldn’t find the house If we had had the address

because Paul lost the address we would have found the house
If Paul hadn’t lost the
address we would have found
the house

2.I didn’t know your phone If I had known your phone

number, so I didn’t ring number I would have rung

3.We didn’t visit the museum We would have visited

because we didn’t have time the museum If we had had time

4.We haven’t got central heating, so If we had  central heating

the house is rather cold the house wouldn’t be so cold

5.He didn’t hurry so he missed the If he had hurried he

plane wouldn’t have missed the plane

6.He hasn’t worked hard this If he had worked hard this

year. That’s why he must take an exam year he wouldn’t have to take an
this summer exam

7.”Will I ever see her again?” He He wondered if he would

asked himself see her again
WISH

We made a mistake not insuring our I wish we had insured our car
car

What a pity you can’t come to the party I wish you could come to the
party
I wish you could have come to
What a pity you couldn’t come to the the party
party
NEITHER...NOR...

The hotel wasn’t clean. And it wasn’t The hotel was neither clean nor
comfortable comfortable

Carol didn’t enjoy the film. Mike didn’t Neither Carol nor Mike enjoyed
either the film

I haven’t got the time to go on holiday. I’ve got neither the time nor the
And I haven’t got the money money to go on holiday

COMPARATIVE & SUPERLATIVE

As I get older, I become more irritable The older I get the more irritable
I become

PRESENT PERFECT

She hadn’t tasted wild strawberries It was the first time she had
before tasted wild strawberries

Mary: it’s the first time I have eaten Mary said she had never eaten
lobster lobster before

I have never eaten such a revolting This is the first time I have
meal (ever) eaten such a revolting meal
This meal is so revolting
It’s the first time Cathy has been
Cathy hasn’t been on holiday with her on holiday with her sister
sister before
I’m travelling by plane. It’s the first time It’s the first time that I have
travelled by plane

It’s years since I had such a good time I haven’t had such a good time
for years

She’s the rudest woman I’ve ever met. I’ve never met such a rude
woman

I haven’t heard from Tom for years It’s years since I (last) heard
from Tom
His car is still up for sale Nobody has bought his car yet

Has Bill written to you recently? Have you heard from Bill
recently?

He’s sold his house. He wants to pay He’s sold his house to pay off
off his brother’s debts. his brother’s debts

The last time they won the elections They have not won the elections
was ten years ago for ten years

She moved here in 1992 She has been living here since
1992

We met when we were at university We have known each other

together since we were at university together

It’s ages since he wrote to me He hasn’t written to me for ages

They went to Israel some years ago They have been to Israel twice
and then again last year

I’ve never heard a more ridiculous That’s the most ridiculous story
story I’ve ever heard

It’s years since I saw a game as good That’s the best game I’ve seen
as that for years

REMIND

Don’t let me forget to go to the bank Remind me not to forget to go to

this morning the bank
Remind me to go to the bank
Remind me not to forget to pay this
Don’t let me forget to pay this cheque cheque in at the bank
in at the bank Remind me to pay this cheque in at the
bank

You look very much like your You remind me of your grandfather
grandfather
MODAL VERBS

Perhaps he does not know that his He may not know that his mother is
mother is looking for him looking for him
Someone must have known the
There had to be someone who knew answer
the answer
She must be his sister, she reminds
I suppose she’s his sister. She looks me of him
just like him

It’s just possible that it won’t rain It might not rain tomorrow
tomorrow

Perhaps she has not received our She may not have received our letter
letter

His parents didn’t let him play with other

children
He wasn’t able to play with other
children
He wasn’t allowed to play

Diana wasn’t allowed to listen to

They said they would rather Diana music at work
didn’t listen to music at work Diana had better not listen to
music at work

I advise you to put your money inYou

a You’d better put your money in a bank
bank

They didn’t let him go away for the He wasn’t allowed to go away
weekend with his girlfriend for the weekend with his girlfriend

He’s sold his house. He wants his He’s sold his house so that his
brother to be able to pay off his debts brother can pay off his debts

He wasn’t  able to play because he Because of his injures he wasn’t able

was injured to play
 Perhaps he doesn’t know what we He may not know what we have to do
have to do

Perhaps he didn’t know what we had to He may not have known what we had to
do do

BEING

People are always criticising me! I’m always being criticized

Many people consider him to be one of the Many people regard him as being one
greatest painters in the world of the greatest painters in the world

At the time my grandmother was looking after At the time our children were being
the children for us looked after by my grandmother 

They’ve stopped traffic from Traffic has been diverted from

using the city centre the city centre
Traffic has been stopped using
the city centre

We are dealing with your Your complaint is being dealt

complaint with

EXPRESSIONS
Not many people know the true story Only a few people know the true story

Hurry up if you don’t want to miss the Unless you hurry up you will miss the
plane plane

I think I should stop smoking It’s time to stop smoking

It’s getting late. It’s time for you It’s getting late. It’s time that you
to leave. left
 I think you should stop swearing It’s time you stopped swearing
so much so much

I meant to give you a ring last I was about to give you a ring
night but I forgot last night but I forgot

Never mind about the price!, just The price is not important, just
buy it! buy it!

The number of people who go to the More and more people are going to the
cinema at weekends is increasing cinema at weekends

There were so many people on the There were such an amount of people
beach that there was nowhere to lie on the beach that there was nowhere
down to lie down

His feet are so big that he has difficulty He has got such  big feet that he has
finding shoes to fit him difficulty finding shoes to fit

10. I prefer chocolate to cakes

I don’t like cakes at all 
I don’t like cakes but chocolate
I don’t like eating chocolate
I don’t like to eat chocolate

11. I’ll pick up the children if you like

Would you like me to pick up the children?
Would you like to pick up the children?

12. I expect that he will get there by I expect him to get there by
lunchtime lunchtime

13. She showed a keen interest in She was keen on  local history
local history

14. I don’t think it’ll be difficult for You shouldn’t have difficulty (in)
you to persuade him persuading him

15. Paul has flu Paul is ill with flu

16. Haven’t you got a better one Is this the best one you have?
than this?

17. I got all the information I needed Tom provided me with all the
from Tom information I needed
 18. You usually eat this kind of fish This kind of fish is usually eaten
with a white sauce with a white sauce

19. In Stratford-on-Avon we saw We saw the house where

Shakespeare’s birthplace Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-
Avon

20. He read the book from He read the whole book

beginning to end

21. Ian keeps arriving late Ian is always late

22. Nobody knows much about his Little is known about his plans
plans for the future for the future

23. It is certain that their English will Their English is certain to

improve in time improve in time

24. Richard has another six months Richard has six more months to
to finish his PhD finish his PhD

25. Everyone knows that eating Eating wholemeal bread is

wholemeal bread is good for known to be good for you
you

REPHRASING (6)

1. They have been married for They got married fifty years ago
almost fifty years
2. I haven’t seen him for ages Its’ ages since I last saw him
3. It is alleged that a number of A number of people is alleged to be
people are involved in the involved in the murder
murder
4. If he doesn’t pay the rent by Unless he pays the rent by next
next Saturday, he’ll be thrown Saturday, he’ll be thrown out
out
5. It would be a good idea if you You had better do this exercise
did this exercise again again

6. Do you think she is like me? Do you think we are alike?

Do you think we are similar?
7. It’s a good thing you didn’t tell If you had told her she would
her. Otherwise, she would have have been very upset
been very upset
8. Why don’t we take the 10.15 to How/What about taking the 10.15
London? to London?
 9. Tom is careful when he works. Tom works carerully but James
James is not doesn’t
10. She was able to finish her work She succeeded in finishing her
on time work on time
11. I don’t suppose I could have May I have another cup of tea?
another cup of tea, could I?
12. With whom did you go to the Who did you go to the party with?
party?

13. She wore a scarf because she She wore a scarf in order not
didn’t want to catch a cold to catch a cold
14. We covered the furniture We covered the furniture so as
because we didn’t want to get not to get paint all over it
paint all over it 
15. What do I need to know if I want What do I need to know in order
to be a good doctor? to be a good doctor?
16. The case was so heavy that he The case was to heavy to be lifted (by
couldn’t lift it him)
The case was to heavy for him to lift
17. He gave me £20 for my It was really generous of him to
birthday, which was really give me £20 for my birthday
generous of him
18. I’m going to the dentist’s. He’ll I’m going to the dentist’s to have
take one of my wisdom teeth out one of my wisdom teeth taken out
19. Last week the builders came Last week we had a swimming pool built
and built a swimming pool in our in our back garden
back garden
20. “Do not leave the building He ordered her not to leave the building
without my permission,” he told without his permission
her
21. I’ve never eaten such a good It’s the first time I have eaten such a
meal good meal 
It’s the best meal I have ever eaten
22. I haven’t had curry for a long It’s a long time since I last had
time curry
23. It’s a good thing I braked. We We would have crashed if I hadn’t
would have crashed braked
24. He started working as a tourist He has been working as a tourist
guide two years ago guide for two years

25. I’ve never come across a more James is the most annoying
annoying person person I have ever come across
 26. They all found his behaviour They were all shocked by his
shocking behaviour

REPHRASING (7)

1. Although she was a millionaire, Despite being a millionaire she

she lived in poverty lived in poverty

2. Although she was a millionaire he didn’t want to marry her

Despite being a millionaire he didn’t want to marry her

3. He prefers travelling by train to He would rather travel by train

flying than fly

4. I’d prefer you not to smoke in I’d rather you didn’t smoke in
class class

5. It would be a good idea if we We had better go through this

went through this exercise again exercise again

6. “Don’t go near the edge of the She warned the children not to
cliff,” she told the children go near the edge of the cliff

7. “Why don’t you buy a new car, John suggested that he bought
Bill” said John a new car

8. “ I didn’t break the plate,” she She denied having broken the
said plate

9. “I won’t answer your questions,” He refused to answer his/her

she said questions

10. I’m sorry I didn’t arrive on time,” She apologised for not having
she said arrived on time

11. We can’t wait to move into our We are looking forward to

new house moving into our new house

12. She is considered to be the She is regarded as being the

outstanding painter of her outstanding painter of her
generation generation

13. I seldom watch that programme I hardly ever watch that

programme
 14. I think it would be useful to I think the proposal would be
consider the proposal worth considering

15. Our plane was delayed by fog Our plane was held up because
of the fog

16. I went to bed early because I As I felt tired I went to bed early
was feeling tired

17. He doesn’t want to stay in He doesn’t fancy staying in

tonight and watch television tonight and watching TV

18. Given a choice of sailing or I prefer to go windsurfing

windsurfing, I prefer windsurfing rather than go sailing
I prefer windsurfing to sailing

19. I’m sure the vegetables weren’t The vegetables can’t have been
fresh fresh

20. John thinks they probably John thinks they may/might

missed the bus have missed the bus

21. You started work here last You’ve worked here since last
August, didn’t you? August, haven’t you?

22. The train left before I got to the By the time I got to the station,
station the train had already left
The government aims to provide
23. The government aims to provide these people with special cars
special cars for these people

24. His stamp collection costs him a He spends lots of money on

lot of money his stamp collection

25. Several people have written in Several people have applied for
for the job the job

26. I’ve never eaten Greek food It’s the first time I have eaten
before Greek food

REPHRASING (8)
1. They criticized me because I If I hadn’t made a simple mistake
made a simple mistake they wouldn’t have criticized me

2. He left the house just before the He had hardly left the house when
explosion occurred the explosion occurred

3. I think he’s broken his leg, but I think he might have broken his
I’m not sure leg

4. People believe that he lived in He is believed to have lived in

South America a long time ago South America for a long time
I haven’t swum in the sea
5. I last swam in the sea when I since I was ten years old
was ten years old

6. I would love to be rich and If only I were rich and famous

famous
I wish I had written down her
7. It’s a pity I didn’t write down her address
address

8. My garage needs painting It’s time for me to paint my

garage/ I need to have it painted

9. He prefers listening to the radio He would rather listen to the

to watching TV radio than watch TV
He would prefer to listen to the
radio rather than watch TV

10. Judging from those black Judging from those black

clouds, we’re likely to have clouds, it looks as if it was going to
some rain rain

11. You don’t look very well. You You don’t look very well. You
should go and see a doctor had better go and see a doctor

12. He spent five hours doing the It took him five hours to do the
shopping shopping

13. Although he worked hard he In spite of the fact that he

couldn’t finish the job worked hard he couldn’t finish the
In spite of working hard he job
couldn’t finish the job
In spite of the heat they
14. Although it was so hot they continued working
continued working
15. He is recognised as the world’s He is regarded as being the
greatest tenor world’s greatest tenor
He is considered to be the
world’s greatest tenor
 16. Nothing frightens me I’m not afraid of anything

17. It will be a great pleasure for us We are looking forward to

to see you next week seeing you next week

18. The people at the hotel were so They were such interesting
interesting that it was a pleasure people that it was a pleasure to
to meet them meet them

19. They built a high wall to make it They built a high wall so that the
impossible for the prisoners to prisoners couldn’t escape
escape

20. He no longer lives in this He doesn’t live in this

neighbourhood neighbourhood any longer

21. Do you think we are the same Do you think she is as tall as
height? me?

22. The weather was so nice that It was such nice weather that
we spent the whole day in the we spent the whole day in the
garden garden

23. It is thought that the robbers The robbers are thought to

used this car to make their have used this car to make their
escape escape

24. My  fringe needs trimming I must get my fringe trimmed

25. Jane did a lot of work during her Jane did a lot of work while she
holidays was on holiday

REPHRASING (9)

1. “Don’t forget to ring your granny My mother reminded me (not to

this evening,” my mother said  forget) to ring my granny that
evening
The inspector accused Jones of
2. “You killed her didn’t you, killing her
Jones?” said the police
inspector

3. “Let’s go to the cinema, shall Bill suggested that we should

we?”, said Bill go to the cinema
 4. She was sorry that she had She apologised for having
been so rude to them been so rude to them
She apologised for being so
rude to them

5. Perhaps he doesn’t understand Perhaps he didn’t understand

what he’s supposed to do what he had to doHe may not have
He may not understand what understood what he had to do
he’s supposed to do

7. We queued up for hours, but we We still didn’t get tickets for the
still didn’t get tickets for the concert, despite having queued up
concert for hours

8. It would be a good idea if you You had better tell him the
told him the truth truth

9. What a lovely day! It’s a pity we What a lovely day! I wish we

can’t go to the beach could go to the beach
I wish I had taken your advice
10. I should have taken your advice

11. He would rather travel by train He prefers travelling by train

than by coach to travelling by coach

12. I haven’t seen her since the end I last saw her at the end of
of April April

13. As we get older we sleep less The older we get the less we
sleep

14. He wasn’t able to take part Because of his illness he

because he was ill wasn’t able to take part

15. It’s the most boring film I have I’ve never seen such a boring
ever seen film

16. You’re very kind to help me with It’s very kind of you to help me
my luggage with my luggage

17. If he doesn’t make more effort, Unless he makes more effort,

he’ll soon be out of a job he will soon be out of a job

18. I expect she came by bus

She must have come by bus
 19. It’s pointless asking him to do There’s no point (in) asking
anything for you him to do anything for you

20. I think you ought to deal with the I think it’s about time you dealt
problem soon with the problem

21. I’m sure he took your briefcase I’m sure he didn’t realised that
by mistake he had taken your briefcase by
I’m sure he didn’t do it on mistake
purpose

22. You didn’t understand because If you had paid attention you
you weren’t paying attention! would have understood

23. I’ll give you a door key because In case I’m not at home when
I may not be in when  you get you get there, I’ll give you a door
home key

24. My advice to you is to take your If I were you I woull take

dog to the vet your/my/the dog to the vet
25. Has someone mended your Have you had your cooker
cooker? mended?
26. They didn’t give me very much They gave me little
information about the job information about the job

REPHRASING (10)

1. If he doesn’t tell us who he is, Unless he tells us who he is, we

we won’t let him in won’t let him in. 
2. You’ve never made a complaint It’s the first time you have made a
before complaint
.
3. “Don’t open your books until I He told the students not to open
tell you to!” he said to the their books until they told them to.
students
4. “Where is he hiding?” the The policeman asked them where
policeman asked them he was hiding
5. It’s a pity that dress costs so I wish it wouldn’t cost so much.
much. I would love to buy it
6. It’s a pity we have lost contact I wish we hadn’t lost contact.
with them
7. I’d  be grateful if you didn’t I’d rather you didn’t smoke….
smoke in the car
8. They didn’t let me stay up late I wasn’t allowed to stay up late
when I was a child when I …..
9. Although Judy was severely Despite (her/hers) being severely
disabled she participated in disabled, she …..
many sports
10. We left quietly so that we We left quietly so as not to disturb
wouldn’t disturb the children the children
11. We didn’t have a barbecue in If it hadn’t been raining, we would
the garden because it was have had a BBQ ….
raining
12. She often has to do the She can’t stand doing the washing
washing-up and she can’t stand up 
it
13. He is not old enough to vote He is too young to vote
14. I won’t tolerate this behaviour I won’t put up with this behaviour 
for a minute longer
15. He’s been working for us for By next year he will have been
nineteen years, and next year working with us for 20 years.
will make it twenty

16. It’s likely that she will arrive late She’s likely to arrive late.
17. It is thought that the prisoner The prisoner is thought to have
was recaptured while drinking in been recaptured ….
a pub
18. A thief stole several coats from Several coats were stolen from
the cloakroom
… 
19. I’ll get someone to press your I’ll have your trousers pressed
trousers
20. The mosque is well worth a visit It is well worth visiting the mosque
The mosque is well worth visiting
21. I like travelling, but I’m not very I like travelling, but I’m not too keen
fond of flying on flying
22. I travel a lot in my job My job involves travelling a lot
23. How long are you planning to How long are you thinking of/about
stay in Australia? staying ….
24. What is the purpose of your What is the reason why you are
trip? travelling?
25. Could you fill in this booking Would you mind filling in this ….
form?
26. It would be better if you didn’t I’d rather you didn’t bring Joe ….
bring Joe to the wedding