Mastering English Grammar: Practice Exercises

Transforming Sentences

Exercise 1

Lucy rarely gets less than 90 percent in her Language exam.

RARE

It is rare for Lucy to get less than 90 percent in her Language exam.

Exercise 2

Peter is normally very talkative, so I'm surprised he was so quiet. LIKE

I'm surprised that Peter didn't say much because it's not like him to be so quiet.

Exercise 3

My daughter never asks when she borrows my clothes! ALWAYS

My daughter is always taking my clothes without asking!

Exercise 4

I can't wait to meet the President! FORWARD

I'm really looking forward to meeting the President!

Exercise 5

The boys had to wash their hands before having lunch. MADE

The boys were made to wash their hands before having lunch.

Exercise 6

There is no need for you to help me with the washing up. I can do it myself. NEED

You don't need to help me with the washing up, I can do it myself.

Exercise 7

Do you know what the homework is? SUPPOSED

Do you know what we are supposed to do for homework?

Exercise 8

I will not tolerate your bad behavior any longer. PUT

I refuse to put up with your bad behavior any longer.

Exercise 9

We are getting a plumber to fix the pipes. HAVING

We are having the pipes fixed by a plumber.

Exercise 10

We don't want a complete stranger to do it. HAVE

We don't want to have it done by a complete stranger.

Exercise 11

I'd rather walk than catch a bus. RATHER

I'd prefer to walk rather than catch a bus.

Exercise 12

Lucy only started sweating when the race had finished. INTO

Lucy didn't break into a sweat until the race had finished.

Exercise 13

I had my hair cut a month ago. SINCE

It has been one month since I had my hair cut.

Exercise 14

It is not the government's fault that there is an economic crisis. BLAME

The government is not to blame for the economic crisis.

Exercise 15

We haven't seen each other for three years. LAST

The last time we saw each other was three years ago.

Exercise 16

She often went abroad on holiday before she got married. WOULD

She would go abroad on holiday before she got married.

More Practice

Exercise 1

I can't wait to go on holiday. FORWARD

I'm really looking forward to going on holiday.

Exercise 2

It's obvious he shot himself in the foot by accident. MEAN

He obviously didn't mean to shoot himself in the foot.

Exercise 3

I hate it when I'm ill. STAND

I can't stand being ill.

Exercise 4

My house is as big as yours. SAME

My house is the same size as yours.

Exercise 5

My brother isn't quite as tall as me. SLIGHTLY

My brother is slightly shorter than me.

Exercise 6

I enjoyed myself so much I didn't want to come home. GOOD

I had such a good time I didn't want to come home.

Exercise 7

Eleanor is clearly proud of her achievements. PRIDE

Eleanor clearly takes pride in her achievements.

Exercise 8

What's their expected time of arrival? SUPPOSED

What time are they supposed to arrive?

Exercise 9

The science teacher made me clean all the test tubes. MADE

I was made to clean all the test tubes by the science teacher.

Exercise 10

Naomi is the girl who lent me a ruler during the exam. WHOSE

Naomi is the girl whose ruler I borrowed during the exam.

Exercise 11

I want them to dye my hair red at the hairdresser's. HAVE

I want to have my hair dyed red at the hairdresser's.

Exercise 12

We haven't seen each other for ten years. LAST

The last time we saw each other was ten years ago.

Exercise 13

I'd rather walk than catch a bus. RATHER

I'd prefer to walk rather than catch a bus.

Exercise 14

I've had enough of your rudeness. PUT

I am not going to put up with your rudeness anymore.