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

He said,”will you listen to such a man.”

  1. He asked them will you listen to such a man.

  2. He asked them are you listening to such a man.

  3. He asked them whether they would listen to such a man.

  4. He asked them whether they will listen to such a man.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

To convert a yes/no question into indirect speech, we use 'whether' or 'if' as a conjunction. The reporting verb 'said' becomes 'asked', and the modal 'will' is changed to 'would' to maintain tense consistency with the past reporting verb.

Multiple choice

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

Should I leak out the secret?

  1. Should the secret be leaked out by me?

  2. Should the secret be leaked by me?

  3. Should the secret leak out by me?

  4. Should the secret be leak out by me?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: When “shall” or “should” is given in active voice, “be” is used to convert into passive voice + 3rd form of verb.

Explanation for option 2: Here, the word “out” is omitted. It is incorrect.

Explanation for option 3: 3rd form of verb is used while changing active into passive voice.
Explanation for option 4: Here, again first form of the verb is used which is wrong. 3rd form is to be used.

Multiple choice

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

Mr. Paul will give you a prize.

  1. A prize will be giving to you by Mr. Paul.

  2. You will be given a prize by Mr. Paul.

  3. You will be given a prize Mr. Paul.

  4. A prize will given to you by Mr. Paul.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: Here, present participle form of verb is incorrect. 3rd form of verb is used in passive voice.

Explanation for option 2: When “will” is given in active voice, “be” is used to change it into passive voice + 3rd form of verb.

Explanation for option 3: While changing active into passive voice, “by” is used before object. Here, it is omitted.
Explanation for option 4: When “will” is given in active voice, “be” is used to change it into passive voice + 3rd form of verb. Here, “be” is omitted.

Multiple choice

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

Had he attacked that man?

  1. Had that man attacked by him?

  2. Had that man been attacked by him?

  3. Has that man been attacked by him?

  4. Has that man attacked by him?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: When “had” is given in active voice, “been” is used while changing active into passive. Explanation for option 2: “been” is used to change active into passive voice + 3rd form of verb is used. Explanation for option 3: Here, the tense of passive voice is changed which is incorrect. Explanation for option 4: The tense of passive voice is changed which is incorrect.

Multiple choice

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

Somebody abandoned the car in the middle of the road.

  1. The car has been abandoned in the middle of the road.

  2. The car had been abandoned in the middle of the road.

  3. The car was abandoned in the middle of the road.

  4. The car is abandoned in the middle of the road.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: In active voice, 2nd form of verb is given. Use of 'has been' changes the tense from past to present perfect tense. Explanation for option 2: Again, tense of passive voice is changed which is incorrect according to the rule. Explanation for option 3: In active voice, 2nd form of verb is given. “was” or “were” is used while changing active into passive voice + 3rd form of verb is given. Explanation for option 4: Here, the tense is changed into present tense which is incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the 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 father said to the mother, “Have the children gone to bed?

  1. The father asked the mother if the children have gone to bed.

  2. The father asked the mother that the children have gone to bed.

  3. The father asked the mother that the children had gone to bed.

  4. The father asked the mother if the children had gone to bed.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: According to rule, when reported speech is given is present perfect tense, it is changed into past perfect tense. Here, it is incorrect.

Explanation for option 2: Use of “that” is incorrect. It is a question form in reported speech and “if” should be used. Moreover, the tense should be past perfect.

Explanation for option 3: Use of that is incorrect. We make use of “if” when reported speech is in yes/no form.
Explanation for option 4: Reported speech is in yes/no form. So, “asked” is used and “if” is used as linker + present perfect tense changes into past perfect tense.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the 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 mother said, “Ah! My child has done a foolish thing.”

  1. The mother exclaimed with dismay that her child had done a foolish thing.

  2. The mother said that her child had done a foolish thing.

  3. The mother exclaimed with dismay that my child had done a foolish thing.

  4. The mother exclaimed with dismay that her child has done a foolish thing.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option1: Reported speech is exclamatory form. So, “exclaimed” word is used instead of “said” and “that” as linker+ reported speech in present tense changes into past perfect tense.

Explanation for option2: “said” is wrong as reported speech in exclamatory form.

Explanation for option3: “my” changes into his/her while changing speech.
Explanation for option4: Here, the tense of the reported speech is same which is wrong.
 

Multiple choice

Directions: In the 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.

She said to me, “Let's visit the mall.”

  1. She suggested to me to visit the mall.

  2. She suggested to me that let us visit the mall.

  3. She suggested to me that we should visit the mall.

  4. She told me to visit the mall.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

"Let’s" is usually reported using "suggest." In this case, there are two possibilities for reported speech: gerund or statement with should. Example: “Let’s visit the mall.“

  1. He suggested visiting the mall.
  2. He suggested that we should visit the mall.
     
     
Multiple choice

Directions: In the 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.

My teacher said to me, “You are late to the college.”

  1. My teacher asked me that I was late to the college.

  2. My teacher told me that you are late to the college.

  3. My teacher told me that I am late to the college.

  4. My teacher told me that I was late to the college.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option1: Direct speech is not an interrogative sentence. So, use of “asked” is wrong.

Explanation for option2: While changing direct into indirect speech, “you” is changed into I/he/she, etc.

Explanation for option3: Direct speech when given in present simple tense is changed into past simple. Here, “am” is incorrect. 
Explanation for option4: “said” is changed into told, inverted commas are replaced by “that”, “you” is replaced by “I” and direct speech given in present simple is changed into past simple.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the 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 aunt said to me, “How is your mother now?”

  1. The aunt asked me that how my mother was then.

  2. The aunt asked me how my mother was then.

  3. The aunt asked me how my mother is now.

  4. The aunt asked me that how my mother is now.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: Here, “that” should not be used as it is “how” form of statement.

Explanation for option 2: It is question form in direct speech. So, “asked” is used and no linker like “that” is used and present simple tense is changed into past simple tense.

Explanation for option 3: Simple present is changed into simple past tense. Here, “is” is used which is wrong. Explanation for option 4: Here again “that” is used which is incorrect.
Multiple choice

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

Has Rita invited you to the birthday party?

  1. Have you been invited for the birthday party by Rita?

  2. Had you been invited by Rita to the birthday party?

  3. Have you been invited by Rita to the birthday party?

  4. Had you been invited to the birthday party by Rita?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: Here, the use of 'for' is not correct.

Explanation for option 2: Tense of the active voice should not be changed according to the rule.

Explanation for option 3: We make use of “been” when the statement is in perfect tense + 3rd form of verb and subject becomes object.
Explanation for option 4: Here, the tense of voice is changed into past perfect, which is incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the alternative that best rephrases the given sentence.

He said to his servant, ''Why are you so lazy today?"

  1. He asked his servant why he was so lazy that day.

  2. He asked his servant why he had been so lazy that day.

  3. He asked his servant why he was being so lazy that day.

  4. He asked his servant why was he so lazy that day.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

If reported verb is in the past tense and reported speech is in the simple present tense, reported speech changes to simple past in indirect narration. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct passive or active voice of the given sentence.The teacher gave a gift to Sarah.

  1. Sarah has gifted the teacher

  2. The teacher was gifted to Sarah

  3. Sarah was given a gift by the teacher

  4. Sarah is gifted by the teacher
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 The object 'Sarah' in the active voice is changed to the subject in the passive voice. Sentence is using past tense. So in passive voice was + past participle form of verb...i.e was + given.