1-10 Sentence Transformations

1. Richard only took over the family business because his father decided to retire early.

→Had____________________________________________________________.

1. Had it not been for his father’s early retirement, Richard wouldn’t have taken over the family business/ Had his father not decided to retire early, Richard wouldn’t have taken over the family business.

2. We would always take great care when flying at night. (WITS)

→ We used_________________________________________________.

2. We always used to have/keep our wits about us when flying at night.

3. There haven’t been such long queues at the cinema since the release of the last blockbuster.

→ Not______________________________________________________.

3. Not since the release of the last blockbuster have there been such long queues at the cinema.

4. I will only be satisfied if the manager apologises fully.

→ Nothing short_______________________________________________.

4. Nothing short of a full apology from the manager will satisfy me.

5. She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn’t notice when I came in. (WRAPPED)

→ She was so______________________________________________________.

5. She was so wrapped up in her work that she didn’t notice when I came in.

6. The price of the house has been reduced as much as possible because the owner needs some money. (BONE)

→ The house______________________________________________.

6. The house has had its price cut/pared to the bone because the owner needs some money.

7. The permit expires at the end of the month.

→ The permit is not_________________________________________________.

7. The permit is not valid after the end of the month.

8. The first sign of the disease is blurred vision. (ONSET)

→The___________________________________________________.

8. The onset of the disease is blurred vision.

9. Don’t say anything negative about her hair because she’s very sensitive and might be offended by your remarks. (OFFENCE)

→_______________________________________________________.

9. Don’t say anything negative about her hair because she’s very sensitive and might take offence at your remarks.

10. The new teacher was so nervous that the class reacted mischievously.

→ The new teacher’s___________________________________.

10. The new teacher’s nervousness drew (a) mischievous reaction(s) from the class.