The English Language

SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION

The ability to rewrite sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original is often required for many English Exams such as Cambridge's FCE. It is also an important skill which can help you improve your understanding of similar English expressions and vocabulary.

Rewrite the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use no more than 5 words.

EXERCISE 1

    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 behaviour: that's why they paid for dinner.

    order

    They paid for dinner for their behaviour.

    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.

    4 - I thought parking was allowed here.

    under the impression

    I that parking was allowed here.

    5 - Simon said, "I will be playing tennis when you arrive."

    he

    Simon said 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, 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 .

    8 - I'm afraid that car is just too expensive.

    means

    That car is .

    9 - They moved to this village in 1999.

    lived

    They in this village since 1999.

    10 - One other thing before I forget - Donata is coming to visit next weekend.

    by

    , Donata is coming to visit next weekend.

EXERCISE 2

     

  1. They managed to finish the project in time for the presentation.

    succeeded

    They the project in time for the presentation.

     

  2. Marcin didn't come to the meeting yesterday. Perhaps he was ill.

    might

    Marcin yesterday.

     

  3. Magda allows her children to stay up to midnight on Saturday evenings.

    let

    Magda late on Saturdays.

     

  4. Luckily, Peter wasn't charged with an offence when the police caught him stealing the first time.

    off

    Peter was very lucky because he .

     

  5. Can I accompany you to the party?

    mind

    Do you to the party?

     

  6. I wish you didn't drive so fast.

    only

    If so fast.

     

  7. I think Roman needs to see a doctor. His cough is terrible.

    ought

    With that terrible cough, Roman a doctor.

     

  8. You should feel horrible! Why did you say that to Jacek?

    shame

    ! Why did you say that to Jacek?

     

  9. The authorities said she wasn't responsible for the accident.

    fault

    The accident .

     

  10. "Why don't you take a holiday?", said Simon.

    suggested

    Simon a holiday.

EXERCISE 3

  1. I haven't seen Joanna for ages.

    since

    It's been a long time Joanna.

     

  2. They were still playing cricket after two hours.

    been

    They for two hours.

     

  3. He didn't want to join in the celebrations.

    take

    He didn't want the celebrations.

     

  4. What a shame he wasn't able to come.

    wish

    I wish come.

     

  5. I took a jumper but it wasn't necessary.

    taken

    I a jumper.

     

  6. If you don't know how to spell the word, why don't you check in the dictionary?

    up

    Why don't you in the dictionary?

     

  7. Somebody should tell him.

    told

    He needs by someone.

     

  8. The concert was horrible.

    time

    The concert was a complete .

     

  9. He couldn't find me at the exhibition.

    find

    He wasn't able me at the exhibition.

     

  10. She let her son go to Poznan for the weekend.

    allowed

    She to Poznan.

 

EXERCISE 4

     

  1. I haven't seen her for ages.

    time

    The was 15 years ago.

     

  2. I didn't understand what he was saying because I hadn't read his book.

    would

    If I had read his book I what he was saying.

     

  3. As the class representative I would like to welcome you.

    behalf

    I'd like to welcome you the class.

     

  4. They believe the students were educated in England.

    believed

    The students educated in England.

     

  5. He escaped using a disguise.

    means

    He escaped a disguise.

     

  6. Remind me to call Asia.

    forget

    Don't let Asia.

     

  7. This pasta is a new experience for me.

    time

    It is I have tried this pasta.

     

  8. She has probably found a new job.

    likely

    It a new job.

     

  9. I don't agree with prohibiting smoking in bars.

    favour

    I'm not prohibiting smoking in bars.

     

  10. It doesn't need to be finished this afternoon.

    finish

    It this afternoon.

 

EXERCISE 5

     

  1. Skwierzyna is less exciting than Bogdaniec.

    as

    Skwierzyna Bogdaniec.

     

  2. He couldn't read the cup because it was too high.

    low

    He cup wasn't for him to reach.

     

  3. She didn't accept his marriage proposal.

    down

    She .

     

  4. We were told to wait here by the director.

    who

    It was the director to wait here.

     

  5. Can you look after the kids this afternoon?

    of

    Can you the kids this afternoon?

     

  6. "Why don't you take a day off?" asked Magda.

    should

    Magda suggested a day off.

     

  7. 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.

     

  8. I didn't mean to break that vase.

    on

    I didn't break that vase .

     

  9. William says Harold is responsible.

    according

    It's Harold's William.

     

  10. I was so bored by her lecture I left.

    boring

    Her lecture was I left.