Sentence Transformation is a crucial skill that tests several grammar rules. It involves converting simple, complex and compound-compound sentences into other forms.
To do this, you need to invert the position of the subject and auxiliary verb in the sentence. However, the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged. It also involves expanding phrases and converting clauses into independent sentences.
Rearrangement
Rearrangement is a grammar skill that involves shifting the words in a sentence to change its meaning. This can be done by altering tenses, verbs, or pronouns. Oftentimes, this is done to make a sentence look better or sound more positive here she is. However, there may also be times when you are asked to do it because the question requires a particular sentence structure.
For example, if you have to transform a conditional sentence into a negative statement, you can do so by adding ‘not’ in front of the major verbs in both clauses. In other cases, you might be required to change the tense of a verb or use its inverse to transform an affirmative sentence into a negative one. These questions often test multiple grammar rules, so it is important to read the guidelines and rules thoroughly before answering. Also, it is good to practice these exercises and check your answers before writing the test.
Expansion
Sentence expansion involves adding words to a sentence to provide more detail. This can be done using adverbs, adjectives, and prepositions. Sentence expansion is important for students as they write. It can help them create better quality work by showing their ability to add content and details. It is also useful for describing actions to readers.
Students can practice their sentence expansion skills by completing the following activity:
Ask students to start with a simple sentence. Then encourage them to add adverbs, adjectives, or prepositions to make it longer. They can also use the coordinating conjunctions (and, but, nor, and so) to form a compound sentence.
Synthesis
In synthesis, you combine the ideas of various sources to make your own point. This is similar to summarizing, but it goes further in that you are pointing out where the sources overlap (and where they differ). This is central to research writing.
You will need to be able to synthesise when you are writing a literature review or essay, as this is a critical aspect of academic research. For example, you need to be able to compare the conclusions reached by two different researchers and show how they relate.
Similarly, you will need to be able to synthesise information when you are writing a report or presentation. This can be done by combining facts from different reports into one report, or it could be through comparing the findings of two separate investigations into the same issue. You should be able to do this by identifying common themes, traits or opinions and linking these together to form your own opinion.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is one that combines two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, such as and or but. Each independent clause has a subject and a predicate, and they can work independently of each other. Compound sentences can be divided into simple sentences, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences.
To make sure a compound sentence makes sense, ask yourself whether the two independent clauses can work as standalone sentences. They must contain a subject and a verb, and they should include an object or modifier. A coordinating conjunction, such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet or so, can link the clauses. Generally, a comma should go before the coordinating conjunction.
Knowing how to transform sentences helps you write at a faster pace and unite related ideas. It also enables you to express your thoughts in more interesting ways. You may need to change your writing style for different reasons, such as to improve readability or to follow a specific requirement.