1. TRANSFORMATIONS 2
MARIJA KRZNARIĆ

2. 1. I forgot her number so I couldn’t ring her. remember If
COMPLETE THE SECOND SENTENCE SO THAT IT HAS A SIMILAR MEANING TO THE FIRST SENTENCE, USING THE WORD GIVEN. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD GIVEN. YOU MUST USE MORE THAN TWO WORDS, INCLUDING THE WORD GIVEN.
1. I forgot her number so I couldn’t ring her. remember If
2. By pressing the button you lock all the doors press All the doors
3. I didn’t wake up on time because I didn’t hear the alarm clock woken If
4. The reason the dog bit him was that he was in our garden bitten
The dog
5. She wrote very fast and as a result made a lot of mistakes. slowly
If she
6. Owing to technical difficulties the plane was not able to take off. able
If there
HAD REMEMBERED HER NUMBER, I COULD HAVE RUNG HER UP.
WILL LOCK IF YOU PRESS THIS BUTTON.
I’d heard the alarm clock, I would have woken up on time.
wouldn’t have bitten him if he hadn’t been in our garden.
HAD WRITTEN MORE SLOWLY, SHE WOULDN’T HAVE MADE SO MANY
MISTAKES.
hadn’t been technical difficulties, the plane would have been able to take off. 2

3. 8. It’s just as well you told me or I might have married him. you If
7. He hasn’t got enough money now because he didn’t save when he was working would
If now.
8. It’s just as well you told me or I might have married him. you If
9. We couldn’t play tennis yesterday because of the rain. rain
10. You can eat sweets but you must always brush your teeth afterwards provided
You can eat sweets
11. If you don’t get dressed right away we’ll go without you. put
Unless
12. We only eat there because the prices are so low charge
If they
13. I won’t eat any more cake because I’m full full
If I
14. If that noise doesn’t stop soon I won’t feel like eating put off
That noise will unless
he had saved when he was WORKING, HE WOULD HAVE money
YOU HADN’T TOLD ME I MIGHT HAVE MARRIED HIM.
it hadn’t rained we would’ve been able to play tennis yesterday.
provided you brush your teeth afterwards.
YOU PUT ON YOUR CLOTHES, WE’LL GO WITHOUT YOU.
didn’t charge (us) such low prices we wouldn’t eat there.
weren’t full, I would eat some more cake.
put me off eating
it stops soon. 3

4. 15. I’ll only leave the waiter some money if he’s quick. tip
I won’t he’s quick.
16. Take my advice and don’t drink so much whisky! if
I’d drink you.
17. Is that the place where you lived before? use
Did you place?
18. Before I moved in I had no one to talk to there
Before I moved in anyone to talk to.
19. She doesn’t live there any more, I believe used
She , I believe.
20. Whenever I told her that story she always laughed a lot would
I used to tell her that story and a lot.
21. I couldn’t warn you because I didn’t know about it myself warned if
22. The reason she found out about it was that he told his sister if
She if he his sister.
tip the waiter unless
LESS IF I WERE
USE TO LIVE IN THAT
There wasn’t
used to live there
she would always laugh
I COULD HAVE WARNED YOU
I HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT MYSELF.
wouldn’t have found out about it
HADN’T TOLD 4

5. He with her if he how unhappy she was.
23. Not realizing how unhappy she was, he spent very little time with her would
He with her if he how unhappy she was.
24. I lost her phone number so I never saw her again have
I would I hadn’t lost her phone number.
25. We’re not living together any more because she went away to university. still
We if she to university.
26. She didn’t take the trouble to find out why so she doesn’t understand. had
She taken the trouble to find out why.
27. Without the provision of spare parts for the machine, the project would have failed. if
the project would have failed.
28. A more gradual introduction of technology would eliminate many problems. introduce
many problems
29. Mary rarely watches TV. However, sometimes she watches a documentary or the news.
If ever a documentary or the news if ever
WOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME
HAD KNOWN
HAVE SEEN HER AGAIN IF
WOULD STILL BE LIVING TOGETHER
HADN’T GONE AWAY
WOULD UNDERSTAND IF SHE HAD
IF THE SPARE PARTS FOR THE MACHINE HAD NOT BEEN PROVIDED,
IF TECHNOLOGY WERE INTRODUCED MORE GRADUALLY,
WOULD BE
ELIMINATED.
SHE WATCHES TV, IT’S 5

6. Transform the sentences but keep the same meaning:
1) The last time I saw him was three years ago. I for three years.
2) They have been married for 25 years. They years ago.
3) Mary did the shopping despite the heavy rain. Mary did the shopping even heavily.
4) Why don't you take the train to London?. How train to London?.
5) Although, she was wealthy she lived in poverty. Despite in poverty.
6) The carpenter is building a new bookcase for us. We are built.
7) I haven’t typed the report yet. The report yet.
9) There had to be someone who knew the answer. Someone the answer.
10) It’s about a four hour drive from Valencia to Madrid. The drive from Valencia to Madrid four hours.
HAVEN’T SEEN HIM
GOT MARRIED
THOUGH IT WAS RAINING
ABOUT TAKING THE
BEING WEALTHY SHE LIVED
HAVING A NEW BOOKCASE
HASN’T BEEN TYPED
MUST HAVE KNOWN 6
TAKES ABOUT

7. 11) Sam felt happy after having a hard work out with her tennis instructor. mood Sam after having a good work out with her tennis instructor.
12) Writing all of the sentence isn’t necessary in this exercise. need There’s all of the sentence in this exercise.
13) Nobody, apart from Robert’s mother, thought he would pass the FCE exam. person Robert’s mother thought he would pass the FCE exam.
14) The secretary connected me to the managing director. put The secretary the managing director.
15) Samantha would have gone to dinner with Leo if she hadn’t been so tired. tired Samantha was to dinner with Leo.
16) The Indian restaurant was practically empty. hardly There the Indian restaurant.
WAS/FELT IN A GOOD MOOD
NO NEED TO WRITE
WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO
PUT ME THROUGH TO
TOO TIRED TO GO
WAS HARDLY ANYONE IN

8. TO FIND THE/A SOLUTION TO
17) Robert couldn’t solve the problem. solution Robert was unable the problem.
18) I can’t believe this is the best Chinese restaurant in Madrid! better There must in Madrid!
19) It’s a waste of time for you to ask Samantha for her phone number. point There’s Samantha for her phone number.
20) Robert has a full time job and looks after his sick mother too. well Robert has a full time job his sick mother.
TO FIND THE/A SOLUTION TO
BE A BETTER CHINESE RESTAURANT
NO POINT (IN) ASKING
AS WELL AS LOOKING AFTER
21) “Whose is this Gameboy?” the teacher asked the students. to “Who ?” the teacher asked the students.
22) They aren’t selling tickets for the U2 concert until next week. being Tickets for the U2 concert until next week.
23) It is a nurse’s responsibility to take care of the patients. responsible A nurse patients.
DOES THIS GAMEBOY BELONG TO
AREN’T BEING/WON’T BE SOLD
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOOKING AFTER THE

9. 24) Mary couldn’t eat the curry because it was too spicy
24) Mary couldn’t eat the curry because it was too spicy. too The curry Mary to eat.
25) I’m sorry I didn’t kiss her when I had the chance. wish I her when I had the chance.
26) Danny wrote his best poetry while he was staying in Tel Aviv. was Danny’s best poetry stay in Tel Aviv.
27) ‘We will send the disk only if you pay us first,’ said Luis. not ‘We will you pay us first,’ said Luis.
28) Football doesn’t interest Craig. interested Craig football.
29) You may have to sleep outside so take a sleeping bag. case Take a sleeping bag sleep outside.
30) I’ve had enough of the noise from next door. put I refuse the noise from next door any more.
31) The council are going to demolish that old block of flats. pulled That old block of flats down.
WAS TOO SPICY FOR
WISH I HAD KISSED
WAS WRITTEN DURING HIS
NOT SEND THE DISK UNLESS
ISN’T INTERESTED IN
IN CASE YOU HAVE TO
TO PUT UP WITH
IS GOING TO BE PULLED

10. 32) I haven’t seen this film before. time It’s the first this film.
33) How long was your journey from Barcelona to Valencia? take How long travel from Barcelona to Valencia?
34) After a long session with her gym instructor Sam was so tired that she couldn’t eat much. too After a long session with her gym instructor Sam was
35) Doing sentence transformations is not as much fun as listening to native speakers. than Listening to native speakers sentence transformations.
36) Craig began to learn Spanish five years ago. learning Craig five years.
37) Robert has not had a job for three years. out Robert for three years.
TIME I HAVE SEEN
DID IT TAKE YOU TO
TOO TIRED TO EAT
IS MORE FUN THAN DOING
HAS BEEN LEARNING SPANISH FOR
HAS BEEN OUT OF WORK/A JOB

11. 38) ‘Have you read any poems by Pablo Neruda, Craig. ’ asked Angela
38) ‘Have you read any poems by Pablo Neruda, Craig?’ asked Angela. read Angela asked Craig any poems by Pablo Neruda.
39) The last time I got drunk was eight months ago. for I eight months.
40) Harry is not usually late. like It is late.
IF/HE HAD READ
HAVEN’T BEEN DRUNK FOR
NOT LIKE HARRY TO BE
41) “Why don’t you do some exercise?” said Angela. doing Angela exercise.
42) If you don’t lose weight, you’ll get depressed. lose Unless get depressed.
43) I haven’t tried skiing before. first This is tried skiing.
44) The bank has rejected my application for a loan. turned My application for a loan the bank.
SUGGESTED DOING SOME
YOU LOSE WEIGHT YOU’LL
THE FIRST TIME I HAVE
HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN BY

12. 48) It was wrong of you to offer him money. Have You him money.
45) The company chairman said that his accountant had stolen the money. accused The company chairman the money.
46) They are too young to be smoking marijuana. enough They to be smoking marijuana.
47) Teachers have refused to work for three weeks. strike Teachers three weeks.
48) It was wrong of you to offer him money. Have You him money.
49) I don’t want to spend the weekend with your sister and her two horrible kids. rather I the weekend with your sister and her two horrible kids.
50) That’s the nicest compliment I’ve ever been given. such I’ve nice compliment.
ACCUSED HIS ACCOUNTANT OF STEALING
ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH
HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE FOR
SHOULD NOT HAVE OFFERED
WOULD RATHER NOT SPEND
NEVER BEEN GIVEN SUCH A 12

13. Sentence transformations
INVERSION
Sentence transformations
Finish each sentence so that it is as similar in meaning as possible to the one printed before it.
1. The minute she left, the meeting broke up No sooner ...
No sooner had she left than the meeting broke up.
2. Immediately after solving one problem, I was faced with another Hardly …
Hardly had I solved one problem when I was faced with another.
 3. The colour of that jacket suits you, and it fits you perfectly Not only …
Not only does the colour of that jacket suit you, but it also fits you perfectly.
 4. The minute he set eyes on her, he fell in love. No sooner ...
No sooner had he/did he set eyes on her than he fell in love.
 5. You must remember to pay that bill, whatever you do. On no account ...
  On no account must/should you forget to pay that bill. 13

14. 6. He did not start to feel ill until after the meal. Only when ...
Only when he had finished the meal/the meal had ended did he start to feel ill.
7. People are not free from the influence of TV anywhere in the world. Nowhere ...
  Nowhere in the world are people free from the influence of TV.
8. There has not been an invention which so radically affected society since the printing press. Not since ...
  Not since the printing press has there been an invention which so radically affected society.
9. You rarely find a family without a television set nowadays Rarely ...
  Rarely do you find a family without a television set these days.
10. Busy parents can seldom resist the temptation to use the TV as a childminder.
Seldom ...
Seldom can busy parents resist the temptation to use the TV as a childminder.
 11. Some claim that TV discourages conversation and also encourages anti-social behaviour. Not only ...
Not only does TV discourage conversation, but it also encourages anti-social behaviour.  14

15. Transform the sentences but keep the same meaning:
12. Researchers have not found a single case of violence that could be directly linked to a TV programme. Not a ...
Not a single case of violence have researchers found that could be directly linked to a TV.
Transform the sentences but keep the same meaning:
1. What he did next really surprised us.   taken We were what he did next.
2. We will never forget that experience.   an That was experience.
3. Terry is the shortest member of the team.  than No-one in the team Terry.
4. This is the first time anyone has done that.   before has anyone done that.
5. I really wish that I had studied harder.   more If only
6.You will get everything you have ever wanted.   come All your wishes
7. Everybody thinks that Frank stole the money.  of Everybody the money.
taken aback by
an unforgettable
is shorter than
Never before
I had studied more
will come true.
suspects Frank of stealing 15

16. 8. Did she say who the dog belonged to?   dog Did she say was?
9. They are going to get married next June planned Their next June.
10. I haven't eaten fish since last Wednesday.   time The fish was last Wednesday.
whose dog it
marriage is planned for
last time I ate
Rewrite the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use no more than 5 words.
1 You must never take your helmet off while you are riding a motorcycle.
all
Helmets must be worn when riding a motorcycle.
2 They wanted to apologize for their behavior: that's why they paid for dinner.
order
They paid for dinner for their behavior.
3 It isn't necessary to bring skis as they are included in the package.
have
You bring skis as they are included in the package.
at all times
in order to apologize
don’t have to

17. 4 I thought parking was allowed here.
under the impression
I was under the impression that parking was allowed here.
5 Tom said, "I will be playing tennis when you arrive." he
Tom said he would be playing tennis when I arrived.
6 When I was a child, we would go to the local park every Saturday afternoon.
used
When I was a child, we used to go to the park every Saturday.
7 His daughter continued to cry until he could not be seen any longer.
sight
She continued to cry until he was out of sight.
8 I'm afraid that car is just too expensive.
means
I’m afraid that car is beyond my means.
9 They moved to this suburb in 1997.
lived
They have lived in this suburb since 1997.

18. 10 One other thing before I forget - Jack is coming to visit next weekend.by
, Jack is coming to visit next weekend.
11 They managed to finish the project in time for the presentation.
succeeded
They the project in time for the presentation.
12 Maurice didn't come to the meeting yesterday. Perhaps he was ill.
might
Maurice yesterday.
13 Jane allows her children to stay up to midnight on Saturday evenings.
let
Jane late on Saturdays.
14 Luckily, Peter wasn't charged with an offense when the police caught him stealing the first time.
off
Peter was very lucky because he
15 Can I accompany you to the party?
mind
Do you to the party?
By the way
succeded in finishing
might have been ill
lets her children stay up
was let off
mind my accompanying you

19. 16 I wish you didn't drive so fast.
only
If so fast.
17 I think Tom needs to see a doctor. His cough is terrible.
ought
With that terrible cough, Tom a doctor.
18 You should feel horrible! Why did you say that to Jack?
shame
! Why did you say that to Jack?
19 The authorities said she wasn't responsible for the accident.
fault
The accident
20 "Why don't you take a holiday?", said Peter.
suggested
Peter a holiday.
21 I haven't seen Tom for ages.
since
It's been a long time Tom.
only you didn’t drive
ought to see
Shame on you
wasn’t her fault.
suggested I take
since I last saw

20. 22 They were still playing tennis after three hours.
been
They for three hours.
23 He didn't want to join in the celebrations.
take
He didn't want the celebrations.
24 What a shame he wasn't able to come.
wish
I wish come.
25 I took a sweater but it wasn't necessary.
taken
I a sweater.
26 If you don't know how to spell the word, why don't you check in the dictionary? up
Why don't in the dictionary?
27 Somebody should tell him.
told
He by someone.
had been playing
to take part in
he had been able to
needn’t have taken
you look the word up
needs to be told

21. 28 The concert was horrible.
time
The concert was a complete
29 He couldn't find me at the exhibition.
find
He wasn't able me at the exhibition.
30 She let her son go to New York for the weekend.
allowed
She to New York.
31 I haven't seen her for ages.
The was 15 years ago.
32 I didn't understand what he was saying because I hadn't read his book.
would
If I had read his book what he was saying.
33 As the class representative I would like to welcome you.
behalf
I'd like to welcome you the class.
waste of time
to find
allowed her son to go
last time I saw her
I would have understood
on behalf of

22. 34 They believe the students were educated in Canada.
believed
The students educated in Canada.
35 He escaped using a disguise.
means
He escaped a disguise.
36 Remind me to call Jack.
forget
Don't let Jack.
37 This pasta is a new experience for me.
time
It is I have tried this pasta.
38 She has probably found a new job.
likely
It a new job.
39 I don't agree with prohibiting smoking in bars.
favour
I'm prohibiting smoking in bars.
are believed to have been
by means of
me to forget to call
the first time
is likely she has found
not in favour of

23. 40 It doesn't need to be finished this afternoon.
It this afternoon.
41 Pittsburgh is less exciting than New York. as
Pittsburgh New York.
42 He couldn't read the inscription because it was too high.
low
The inscription wasn't for him to reach.
43 She didn't accept his marriage proposal.
down
She
44 We were told to wait here by the director.
who
It was the director to wait here.
45 Can you look after the kids this afternoon? of
Can the kids this afternoon?
isn’t necessary to finish
isn’t as exciting as
low enough
turned his marriage proposal down.
who told us
you take care of

24. 46 "Why don't you take a day off?" asked Jim.
should
Jim suggested a day off.
47 He acts like a poor man even if he has a lot of money.
fact
Even though he acts like a poor man, he has a lot of money.
48 I didn't mean to break that vase. on
I didn't break that vase
49 Jack says Jenny is responsible.
according
It's Jenny's Jack.
50 I was so bored by his lecture that I left.
boring
His lecture was I left.
51 I am afraid I'm still having problems with understanding life in New York.
used
I living in New York.
I should take
in fact
on purpose.
responsibility according to
so boring that
am not used to

25. 51 I think we need to get a new car.
52 I'd prefer it if you didn't smoke in here.
mind
smoking in here?
53 Many people were delayed because of the traffic jam.
number
were delayed by the traffic jam.
54 It was such an interesting novel I stayed up all night to finish it. so
The novel was I stayed up all night to finish it.
55 Although he was able to do the job, he wasn't given the position.
despite
to do the job, he wasn't given the position.
56 You should take the train instead of the bus.
were
If , I'd take the train instead of the bus.
in my opinion.
Would you mind not
A number of people
so interesting
Despite his ability
I were you

26. Why the above transformations at all?
57 Can you describe him to me?
like
What ?
58 It isn't necessary to buy a first class ticket.
have
You a first class ticket.
59 I'm sure he was at home last night.
must
He at home last night.
is he like
don’t have to buy
must have been
Why the above transformations at all?
The ability to rewrite sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original is often required for many English ESL EFL Exams such as Cambridge's First Certificate, CAE and Proficiency. This skill can also help you prepare for the TOEFL examination (Test of English as a Foreign Language). It is also an important skill which can help you improve your understanding of similar English expressions and vocabulary.

27. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
ANY QUESTIONS?
NO?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!