English Language

Sentence Transformation

558 Questions

Sentence transformation questions evaluate grammatical accuracy in converting sentences between active and passive voice, as well as direct and indirect speech. The focus lies on altering sentence structures without changing the original meaning while maintaining correct tense and verb forms. This is a highly weighted English language topic in SSC and banking exams.

Active and passive voiceDirect and indirect speechNarration changeTense consistencyVerb form transformation

Sentence Transformation Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

He will write a letter.

  1. A letter will be writing by him.

  2. Letter will be written by him.

  3. A letter would be written by him.

  4. A letter will be written by him.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: Past participle should be used in the passive voice. Explanation for option 2: “A letter will be written by him” is the right answer. Explanation for option 3: “Will be” should be used here. Explanation for option 4: This is correct as per the rules of active/passive voice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Direct/Indirect form.

She said to me, “I tried to drive a car but failed.”

  1. She told me that I tried to drive a car but failed.

  2. She told me that she had tried to drive a car but failed.

  3. She told me that she tried to drive a car but had failed.

  4. She told me that she had tried to drive a car but had failed.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: “I” will be changed with the subject of the “reporting verb” and “simple past tense” of “reported speech” will be converted into “Past Perfect”. Explanation for option 2: The second part of “reported speech” will also be converted into “past perfect” (but had failed). Explanation for option 3: The first part of “reported speech” will also be converted into “past perfect” (had tried). Explanation for option 4: This is correct as per the rules of direct/indirect speech.

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

Valmiki wrote the Ramayana.

  1. The Ramayana is written by Valmiki.

  2. Ramayana was written by Valmiki.

  3. The Ramayana was written by Valmiki.

  4. The Ramayana was written by the Valmiki.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: Passive voice will be in past tense (was + past participle) as the active voice is in the “simple past tense”. Explanation for option 2: Article “the” will be followed by “Ramayana”. Explanation for option 3: This is correct as per the rules of active/passive voice. Explanation for option 4: “The Valmiki” is incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Direct/Indirect form.

He said to me, “I am ill.”

  1. He told me that he is ill.

  2. He asked me that he was ill.

  3. He told me that he was ill.

  4. He told me that I was ill.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: “Reported verb” will be in past in indirect speech as per the rules of direct/indirect speech. Explanation for option 2: “Said to “should be changed into “told”. Explanation for option 3: This is correct as per the rules of direct/indirect speech. Explanation for option 4: “I” will be changed with the subject of “reporting verb”.

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Direct/Indirect form.

She said to me, “What were you eating?”

  1. She asked me what I had eaten.

  2. She asked me what I had been eating.

  3. She told me that what I had been eating.

  4. She asked me what had I been eating.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: Reported speech is in past continuous, so it will be changed into “past perfect continuous”. Hence, this is not a valid option. Explanation for option 2: This is correct as per the rules of direct/indirect speech. Explanation for option 3: As “reported speech” is in interrogative form, so “said to “should be changed into “asked” as per the rules of direct/indirect speech. Explanation for option 4: “Reported speech” will be in statement form. Hence this is not a valid option.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

This bottle contains medicine.

  1. Medicine is contained by this bottle.

  2. Medicine was contained in this bottle.

  3. Medicine are contained in this bottle.

  4. Medicine is contained in this bottle.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : As verb denotes a state in the passive voice hence preposition 'in' will be used at the place of 'by'. Explanation for option 2 :  The 'active voice' is in 'simple present tense' , so 'is/am/are and past participle' will be used in 'passive voice'. Explanation for option 3 : 'Medicine' is a singular noun ,hence it will be followed by 'is'. Explanation for option 4 : This is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive form. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

They should help the child.

  1. The child should helped by them.

  2. The child should be helped by they.

  3. The child should be helped.

  4. The child should be helped by them.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: 'Should' will be followed by 'be'. Explanation for option 2: The subject of 'active voice' is changed into the 'object' of passive voice. Hence, 'they' will be changed into 'them'. Explanation for option 3: 'by them' will come in the end. Explanation for option 4: This is correct as per the rules of active/passive voice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

He was praised by his father.

  1. His father was praised by him.

  2. His father was praising him.

  3. His father praises him.

  4. His father praised him.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : This is incorrect as it is again in 'passive voice' Explanation for option 2 : As per the rules of active/ passive if passive voice contains 'was/were & past participle', 'Simple past tense' is used in 'Active voice' . Hence, this is incorrect. Explanation for option 3 : This is incorrect as the 'active voice' needs to be in 'simple past tense'. Explanation for option 4 : This is correct as per the rules of active/passive voice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive voive. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

Am I disturbing you at your work?

  1. Is your work being disturbed by me?

  2. Is your work disturbed by me?

  3. Are you being disturbed by me?

  4. Are you being disturbed at your work by me?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : This is incorrect. Explanation for option 2 : This is not valid. Explanation for option 3 : 'past participle' will be followed by 'at your work' Explanation for option 4 : This is correct as per the rules of active/passive voice.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Active/Passive voice.

Did she love me?

  1. Were I loved by her?

  2. Was I loved by her?

  3. Am I loved by her?

  4. Was I loved by her.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : 'were' will be replaced by 'was'. Explanation for option 2 : This is correct as per the rules of active/passive. Explanation for option 3 : 'Passive voice' will be in 'past tense'. Explanation for option 4 : 'Sign of interrogation' will come in the end.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question, a sentence has been given in direct/indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in direct /indirect speech.

He said to me, “I do not think I can forgive you.”

  1. He told me that he does not think he can forgive me.

  2. He told me that he did not think he could forgive me.

  3. He said to me that he did not think that he could forgive me.

  4. He told me that he had not thought that he could forgive me.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : The tense of 'reported speech' will be changed into 'simple past tense'. Explanation for option 2 : This is correct as per the rules of direct/indirect. Explanation for option 3 : 'Said to' of 'reporting verb' will be changed into 'told' in indirect speech. Explanation for option 4 : The tense of 'reported speech' will be changed from 'present Indefinite' to 'past indefinite' as per the rules of direct/ indirect speech.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question a sentence has been given in direct/indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in direct /indirect speech.

His friend said, “I am going tomorrow.”

  1. His friend said that I am going tomorrow.

  2. His friend said that he was going tomorrow.

  3. His friend said that he was going the next day.

  4. His friend said that he was going the previous day.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : The pronoun and the tense of the 'reported speech' will be changed as per the rules of direct/ indirect speech. Explanation for option 3 : This is correct as per the rules of direct/ indirect speech.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question a sentence has been given in direct/indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in direct /indirect speech.

The girl asked her father if he would write a letter.

  1. The girl said to her father, ”Will you write a letter?”

  2. The girl said to her father, “You will write a letter.”

  3. The girl said to her father, “Can you write a letter?”

  4. The girl said to her father, ”Will he write a letter?”
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : This is correct as per the rules of direct/indirect speech. Explanation for option 2 : 'Reported speech' will be in interrogative form. Explanation for option 3 : Can changes into could in indirect speech. Hence, this is not valid. Explanation for option 4 : 'You' will come in place of 'he'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In question, a sentence has been given in direct/indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in direct /indirectspeech.

She said, “My brother is writing a letter.”

  1. She said that my brother is writing a letter.

  2. She said that her brother is writing a letter.

  3. She said that her brother was writing a letter.

  4. She said that her brother was writing a letter?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1 : 'Reported speech' will be changed into past and the 'Pronoun' 'my' will be changed according to the subject of 'reporting verb'. Explanation for option 2 : The tense of 'reported speech' should be changed from 'present to past continuous' as per the rules of direct/indirect. Explanation for option 3 : This is correct as per the rules of direct/indirect speech. Explanation for option 4 : 'sign of interrogation' should be deleted in the end.

Multiple choice

Directions: Which of the given four options correctly puts the following sentence into indirect speech?

The manager said,”Well, what can I do for you?”

  1. The manager asked what he could do for him.

  2. The manager wondered what he could do for him.

  3. The manager wanted to know what he could do for him.

  4. The manager said that he couldn't do anything for him.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In indirect speech, the direct question 'What can I do for you?' becomes 'what he could do for him'. Option C correctly uses 'wanted to know' to reflect the inquiry.