SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION

EXERCISE 1
Part 1:Finish each of the second sentences in such a way that they have the same meaning as the original ones:
1. I left without saying goodbye as I didn’t want to disturb the meeting.
 Rather ________________________________________
2. For further information, please send a self-addressed envelope to the above address.
→ Further information can ________________________________________
3. It shouldn’t have surprised me that my children didn’t like the new, cheaper ice-cream..
→ I might ________________________________________
4. The noise made by the children didn’t prevent the baby from sleeping soundly.
→ Whatever ________________________________________
5. Don’t run away with the idea that this job is easy. (conclusion)
→ ________________________________________
6. Russ’s opinions on the new management policies were very different from those of his fellow workers. (odds)
→ Russ ________________________________________ the new management policies.
7. The young actress was very nervous before the audition. (butterflies)
→ _____________________________________________________
8. Margaret is said to be a very good cook. ( reputation)
→ _____________________________________________________
9. She chooses the kind of hotels she stays in very carefully.
→ She’s very fussy _________________________________________
10. The rocketing prices have proved too much for most salaried people. (cope)
→ _____________________________________________________
KEYS:
1. Rather than disturb the meeting, I left without saying goodbye.
2. Further information can be obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope to the above address.
3. I might have known my children would not like the new, cheaper ice-cream.
4. Whatever the noise the children made, the baby slept soundly.
5. Don’t come to/ draw the conclusion that job is easy.
6. Russ was at odds with his fellow workers over the new management policies.
7. The young actress had butterflies in her stomach before the audition.
8. Margaret has a reputation for being a very good cook.
9. She’s very fussy about the kind of hotels she stays in.
10. Most salaried people haven’t been able to cope with the rocketing prices.
EXRRCISE 2
Rewrite the following sentences using the words given.
1. The mob went away when the police came along.
 Along __________________________________________.
2. The inevitability of unemployment was something nobody cared to admit.
 The admission ____________________________________ .
3. Absolute secrecy was crucial to the success of the mission.
 Without __________________________________________ .
4. Something must be done quickly to solve the problem of homelessness.
 Urgent ___________________________________________.
5. An pretends not to know about Minh’s absence.
 An turns _________________________________________.
6. Minnie meant well so you mustn’t be offended by her comments. (AMISS)
 Please ____________ because she meant well.
7. It’s urgent that the new principal start to deal with the problems facing the school. (GRIPS)
 The new principle will have to ____________ the problems facing the school straight away.
8. My supervisor did not even hint to me that he was about to resign. (INDICATION)
 I _________________________________________________ .
9. When I saw the exam questions, I couldn’t remember anything. (MIND)
 When I saw the exam questions, my______________________ .
10. We have recently noticed that you have not been attending staff training sessions. (ATTENTION)
 It has ____________ that you have not been attending staff training sessions.
KEY
1. Along came the police and away went the mob/ the mob went away.
2. The admission that unemployment was inevitable was something nobody cared for / cared to make.
3. Without absolute secrecy this mission would not have succeeded/ been successful/ been a success/ would have
failed.
4. Urgent action is/ measures are necessary/ essential/ steps/action must be taken/ measures must be adopted to solve
the problem/ if the problem is to be solved.
5.An turns a blind eye to Minh’s absence
6. ……don’t take Minnie’s comments amiss…….
7. . …….get to grips with………………
8. I was given no indication by my supervisor that he was about to resign.
9. When I saw the exam questions, my mind just went blank.
10. …… come to our attention…………
EXERCISE 3.
Rewrite the sentences with the given words or beginning in such way that their meanings remain unchanged.
(20pts)
1. Thomas was not given details of the company’s new projects. DARK
 ………………………………………………………………………………
2. In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football. SHOULDERS
 ………………………………………………………………………………
3. I’m afraid our problems are just beginning. ICEBERG
 ………………………………………………………………………………
4. The final version of the plan was quite different from the initial draft. RESEMBLANCE
 …………………………………………………………………………
5. I expected the film to be good, but it wasn’t at all. LIVE
 ...........................................................................................................
6. You must do something to make sure this doesn’t happen again. STEPS
=> …………………………………………………………
7. Even though I admire his courage, I think he is a foolish.
=> Much ..............................................................…………………..
8. He sounds as if he has spent all his life abroad.
=> He gives ………………………………………………….……………….
9. His recent behaviors are outrageous.
=> The way ..............................................................................………………. ordinary.
10. My salary is half what I would be in the job I was offered in January.
=> If ….................................................................................………………

1. Thomas was kept in the dark about the company’s new projects.
2. Thailand is/ stands head and shoulders above all other countries in football.
3. These problems of ours are just the tip of the iceberg.
4. The final version of the plan bore/ had no/ little resemblance to the final draft.
Or: There was no / little / not much resemblance between the final version of the plan and the initial draft.
5. The film didn’t live up to my expectations at all.
6. You must take steps to make sure/ ensure (that) this doesn’t happen again.
7. Much as I admire his courage, I think he is a foolish.
8. He gives an impression that he has spent all his life abroad.
9. The way he has recently behaved are out of the ordinary.
10. If I had taken/ accepted the job I was offered in January, I would be on twice the salary I am now/ I would be
earning twice as much as I am now.
EXRCISE 4
1. He lent me a hand so that he would not look such a mean person in my eyes.
So as _____________________________________________________________
2. We were not surprised by his success.
It came _____________________________________________________________
3. Alice and Charles did not decide to move to a bigger house until after the birth of their second child.
Only when _____________________________________________________________
4. The only thing that kept us out of prison was the way he spoke the local dialect.
But for his _____________________________________________________________
5. It was raining cats and dogs last night. (TORRENTS)
The rain was _____________________________________________________________
6. My brother finds staying at home every day annoying. (PUT)
It is difficult for my brother _____________________________________ every day.
7. Many people nowadays find it increasingly difficult to exist on the money they earn. (ENDS)
Many people _____________________________________________________________
8. Will you please stay with me for a while? (COMPANY)
Will you _________________________________________________________________?
9. Recent research has changed theories about the causes of the disease. (LIGHT)
Recent research _____________________________________________________________
10. Collecting stamps give me a lot of pleasure. (DERIVE)
I ________________________________________________________________________
KEY
1. So as to avoid looking/not to look such a mean person in my eyes he lent me a hand.
2. It came as no surprise to us that he was successful.
3. Only when Alice and Charles had the second child did they decide to move to a bigger house.
4. But for his speaking/command of the local dialect, we would have been put into prison.
5. The rain was coming down in torrents.
6. It is difficult for my brother to put up with staying at home every day.
7. Many people nowadays find it increasingly difficult to make both ends meet.
8. Will you please keep me company for a while?
9. Recent research has shed light on the causes of the disease.
140. I derive a lot of pleasure from collecting stamps.
EXERCISE 5
1. Immediately after winning the race, Sandy began training for the next one. (had)
 No sooner
2. Going to and fro with all the cases is what I can’t stand about holidays. (toing)
 It’s all
about holidays.
3. As a result of the bad weather, there may be delay to some international flights. (subject)
 Due to the bad weather
possible delay.
4. Bill changed his ways when he came out of prison. (leaf)
 Bill has
5. The committee had a long discussion but they could not make up their mind. (reach)
 Lengthy

KEY
No sooner had Sandy won the race than she began training for the next one.
1. It’s all the toing and froing with all the cases that I can’t stand about holidays.
2. Due to the bad weather some international flights are / will be subject to possible delay.
3. Bill has turned over a new leaf since he came out of prison.
4. Lengthy as / though their discussion was / might be, the committee couldn’t reach any / a decision.

PART 2: Rewrite the sentences with the given words or beginning in such a way that they are as similar as
possible in meaning to the original sentences. (10PTS)
1. The president's bodyguards stood behind him watching.
 Watchfully
2. Success in the academic field depends on your ability to amass qualifications.
 The more
3. I find his clothes the most irritating about him.
 What most
4. Richard only took over the family business because his father decided to retire early.
 But for
5. It wasn’t Melanie’s fault that she ended up breaking the law.
 Through no

KEY TO SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION 2

1. Watchfully standing behind the president were his bodyguards.
2. The more qualifications you are able to amass, the more success you will have in the academic field.
3. What most irritates me about him is his clothes.
4. But for his father’s early retirement Richard would not have taken over the family business.
5. Through no fault of her own, Melanie ended up breaking the law.
EXRECISE 6
1. How someone looks is less important than their character.
 Beauty…………………………………………………………………………………………
2. He thinks family relationships are stronger than any other.
 He thinks blood……………………………………………………………………………………………
3. The board may have to stop running a business and close the company completely.
 The board may have to wind………………………………………………………………
4. My advice is to buy the shares while you can.
 You should snap……………………………………………………………………………
5. He is always becoming involved in my business.
 He is always poking…………………………………………………………………………
6. I’ve considered the advantages and disadvantages and I’ve decided not to go. (WEIGHED)
……………………………………………………………………………………
7. Considering that she’s only just started, she’s doing very well. (BEARING)
……………………………………………………………………………………
8. When I agreed to do this, I didn’t think that it would be so expensive. (BARGAIN)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Let me give you a clue to help you remember. (JOG)
………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Although I don’t speak Italian very well, I understood the general meaning of what she said. (DRIFT)
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
KEY
1. Beauty is only skin-deep.
2. He thinks blood is thicker than water.
3. The board may have to wind up the company.
4. You should snap up the shares while you can.
5. He is always poking his nose into my business.
6. I have weighed up the pros and corns and I’ve decided not to go.
7. Bearing in minds that she’s only just started, she’s doing very well.
8. When I agreed to do this, I did not bargain for it being so expensive.
9. Let me jog your memory.
10. Although I don’t speak Italian very well, I got her drift of what she said.

Coming second didn’t make her feel any better because she only wanted to win. (CONSOLIDATION)
-> Coming second was of no consolidation because winning was all that mattered to her.
6. His analysis of the situation was far too complex for me to grasp. (HEAD)
His analysis of the situation went right over my head.
7. The committee members said that they would remain loyal to the chairman. (PLEDGED)
The committee members pledged their loyalty to the chairman.
8. I can spend more time with my grandchildren when I retire. (FREE)
Retirement will free me up to spend more time with my grandchildren.
9. In the area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football. (ABOVE)
In the area, Thailand is head and shoulders above all other countries in football.
10.They’ve been having discussions on the issue for over two weeks.
Discussions on the issue have been in progress for over two weeks.
11.What put me off the idea was simply how expensive it was going to.
The sheer .......................................................................................
12.Every possible effort was made by orphanage to find the boy’s parents.
The orphanage left no stone unturned in their attempt to find the boy's parents.
13.Whatever the methods used to obtain the results, drugs were definitely not involved.
There was no question of drugs being involved, whatever the methods were used to obtain the results.
14. He threatened the officers with violence.
He made threats of violence against the officers.

EXERCISE 7
1.There is no need to be so upset about the result. SHED
……………………..……………………………………………………………………………..
2.Sam tried extremely hard to convince her, but it was no use. BRING
Hard ………………..……………………………………………………………………………..
3. Although he has been very determined, he has never managed to defeat his rival.
DETERMINATION
………………..……………………………………………………………………………………
4. Without his personal assistant John wouldn’t know what to do next. RELIES
………………..……………………………………………………………………………………
5. Fred has only himself to blame for losing his driving license for repeated speeding SERVES
………………..……………………………………………………………………………………

Key:
1. There is no need to shed any tears over the result.
2. Hard as/though Sam tried, he couldn’t bring her round (to his way of thinking).
3. Despite his great determination, he has never managed to defeat his rival.
4. John relies on his personal assistant (in order) to know what to do next.
5. It serves Fred right that he lost/for losing …/the loss of … serves Fred right.
Rewrite the following sentences using the words given.
1. Having bad table manners is the most annoying thing.
There is………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. It wasn’t Tom that you saw in the department store, for sure.
It couldn’t ………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. On receipt of your cheque, we shall send the goods to you.
As ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. The new rules about school uniforms will apply next year. FORCE
The new rules ……………………………………………………………………………next year.
5. Russ’s opinions on the new management policies were very different from those of his fellow workers. ODDS
Russ …………………………………………………………….… the new management policies.
6. “I don’t think we will survive David.” I said, but of course we did. TALE
I told David I thought we ……………………………………………….…., but of course we did.
7. No one nowadays believes in witches, do they ? AGE
No one …………………………………………………………….. believes in witches, do they?
8. The police have put a barrier around the building to keep the people out. CORDONED
The building …………………………….…………………………………………………police.
9. Terry and I started arguing about the situation in the Middle East. INTO
I …………………………………..…………………… about the situation in the Middle East.
10. I think they’re largely responsible for what’s happened. SMALL
I hold them …………………………………………………..responsible for what’s happened.

KEY
1. There is nothing more annoying than people with bad table manners
2. It couldn’t have been Tom that you saw in the department store, for sure.
3. As soon as we receive your cheque, we shall send the goods to you.
4. The new rules will be put into force next year.
5. Russ was at odds with his fellow workers over/ concerning the new management policies.
6. I told David I thought we wouldn’t live to tell (the) tale, but of course we did.
7. No one in this day and age believes in witches, do they?
8. The building has been cordoned off by the police.
9. I got into an argument with Terry about the situation in the Middle East.
10. I hold them in no small way responsible for what’s happened.
EXERCISE 8
I. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar as possible in meaning to the sentence
printed before it.
1. Maria shouldn’t have many problems with the administrative side of the job.
 It’s unlikely ________________________________________________________.
2. In a nutshell, Joseph’s not up to the job.
 The long __________________________________________________________.
3. Standing as tall as he could, he passionately denied any involvement in the affair.
 Drawing __________________________________________________________.
4. We would be extremely grateful if you could reply as soon as possible.
 A prompt __________________________________________________________.

KEY
1. that Maria will have many problems with the administrative side of the job
2. and the short of it is that Joseph’s not up to the job
3. himself up to his full height, he passionately denied any involvement in the affair
4. reply would be greatly/ much appreciated