Sentence Transformation Techniques [English Grammar]

Interchange of Assertive and Interrogative Sentences

Assertive → Interrogative

If the auxiliary or helping verb is not available. → Using Do/Does/Did

If we find that there is no helping verb in the assertive sentence, we will write an interrogative sentence using “Do/Does/Did”.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: They play cricket.

Interrogative: Do they not play cricket?

Assertive: Manaj reads English newspapers.

Interrogative: Does not Manaj read English newspapers?

Assertive: He went to market.

Interrogative: Did he not go to market?

Never → Ever

If we find the word “Never” in the assertive sentence, we will write the word “Ever” instead of that word [Never] at the time of the interrogative sentence.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: Ranjan never takes tea.

Interrogative: Does Ranjan ever take tea?

Assertive: She never loved me.

Interrogative: Did she love me?

Assertive: You can never forget her.

Interrogative: Can you ever forget her?

Nothing → Anything

If we find the word “Nothing” in the assertive sentence, we will write the word “Anything” instead of that word [Nothing] at the time of the interrogative sentence.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: He said nothing about this matter.

Interrogative: Did he say anything about this matter?

Assertive: I have nothing to do.

Interrogative: Have you anything to do?

Assertive: There is nothing better than honesty.

Interrogative: Is there anything better than honesty?

Nothing but → Anything but/ what

If we find “Nothing but” in the assertive sentence, we will write “Anything but” or use “What” instead of [Nothing but] at the time of the interrogative sentence.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: Our life is nothing but a walking shadow.

Interrogative: Is our life anything but a walking shadow?

Or What is our life but a walking shadow?

Assertive: He gave me nothing but love.

Interrogative: Did he give me anything but love?

Or What did he give me but love?

Assertive: Ramen wants nothing but a government job.

Interrogative: What does Ramen want but a government job?

Every + noun → Is there any + noun + who + negative

If we find “Every + noun” in the assertive sentence, we will write “Is there any + noun + who+ negative” at the time of the interrogative sentence.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: Every man wishes to be happy.

Interrogative: Is there any man who does not wish to be happy?

Assertive: Every mother loves her child.

Interrogative: Is there any mother who does not love her child?

Assertive: Every man wishes to be powerful.

Interrogative: Is there any man who does not wish to be powerful?

Someone/ somebody/ everybody/ everyone/ no one/ nobody/ anybody/ anyone → who (Affirmative–Negative) (Negative–Affirmative)

If we find the words “Someone/ somebody/ everybody/ everyone/ no one/ nobody/ anybody/ anyone” in assertive sentence, we will write the word “Who” instead of those words [Someone/ somebody/ everybody/ everyone/ no one/ nobody/ anybody/ anyone] and make the affirmative sentence into negative and the negative into affirmative sentence at the time of interrogative sentence.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: Everybody loves her children.

Interrogative: Who does not love her children?

Assertive: Everybody has some needs.

Interrogative: Who has no needs?

Assertive: Nobody trusts a lair.

Interrogative: Who trusts a lair?

Assertive: No one can lie alone.

Interrogative: Who can live alone?

Most of the time we should make the assertive (affirmative) sentences negative interrogative if we want to make interrogative.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Assertive: He reads in this college.

Interrogative: Does he not read in this college?

Assertive: The sun rises in the east.

Interrogative: Does not the sun rise in the east?

Assertive: It was a good idea.

Interrogative: Was it not a good idea?

Short-Cut Rules for Sentence Transformation

Interchange of Assertive and Interrogative Sentences

Assertive → Interrogative

Never → Ever
Nothing → Anything
Nothing but → Anything but/ what
Every + noun → Is there any + noun + who + negative
Someone/ somebody/ everybody/ everyone/ no one/ nobody/ anybody/ anyone → who (Affirmative–Negative) (Negative–Affirmative)

If the auxiliary or helping verb is not available → Using Do/Does/Did

Most of the time we should make the assertive (affirmative) sentence negative interrogative if we want to make interrogative

Transformation of Sentences Affirmative and Negative

Affirmative → Negative

Always → Never (Opposite word of Verb, Adjective and Noun)

If we find the word “Always” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Never” instead of that word [Always] and make the opposite word of the verb, adjective, and noun at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: I will always remember you.

Negative: I will never forget you.

Affirmative: He is always present.

Negative: He is never absent.

Affirmative: you should always speak the truth.

Negative: You should never tell a lie.

Sometimes → (Not) always (Opposite word of Verb, Adjective, Noun)

If we find the word “Sometimes” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word not “Always” instead of that word [Sometimes] and make the opposite word of the verb, adjective, and noun at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: He sometimes smokes.

Negative: He does not always smoke.

Affirmative: The rich are sometimes happy.

Negative: The rich are not always happy.

Affirmative: A scholar is sometimes wrong.

Negative: A scholar is not always right.

Must → cannot but/ cannot help

If we find the word “Must” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Cannot but/ cannot help” instead of the word [Must] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: He must buy a grammar book.

Negative: He cannot but buy a grammar book.

Or He cannot help buying a grammar book.

Affirmative: We must love one another.

Negative: We cannot but love one another.

Or We cannot help loving one another.

Affirmative: You must listen to your teacher.

Negative: You cannot but listen to your teacher.

All → No (Opposite word of Adjective, Verb)

If we find the word “All” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “No” instead of that word [All] and make the opposite word of the verb, adjective, and noun at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: All men are mortal.

Negative: No man is immortal.

Affirmative: All must die.

Negative: No one can escape death.

Affirmative: All must submit to destiny.

Negative: No one can escape his destiny.

For good/ forever → Never (Opposite word of Verb)

If we find the word “For good/ forever” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Never” instead of the word [For good/ forever] and make the opposite word of the verb at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: I have sold the house forever.

Negative: I will never buy the house.

Affirmative: He has left the village forever.

Negative: He will never come to the village again.

Affirmative: I have given up smoking forever.

Negative: I shall never smoke again.

Every → No (Opposite word of Verb, Adjective)

If we find the word “Every” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “No” instead of that word [Every] and make the opposite word of verb and adjective at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Everybody is dependent.

Negative: Nobody is independent.

Affirmative: Everyone loves flowers.

Negative: No one hates flowers.

Affirmative: Everyone loves him.

Negative: No one hates him.

Or There is no one who does not love him.

Or There is no one but loves him.

Have to/ has to → cannot but / cannot but help v-ing

If we find the word “Have to/ has to” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Cannot but/ cannot but help v-ing” instead of the word [Have to/ has to] at the time of negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: I have to buy a new house.

Negative: I can not buy a new house.

OR I cannot help buying a new house.

As soon as → No sooner had —than

If we find the word “As soon as” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “No sooner had—- than” instead of the word [As soon as] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: As soon as I arrived house, it began to rain.

Negative: No sooner had I arrived house than it began to rain.

Affirmative: As soon as the man saw the tiger, he ran away.

Negative: No sooner had the man seen the tiger, he ran away.

Many → (Not) a few

If we find the word “Many” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word not “A few” instead of that word [Many] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: I have many friends.

Negative: I do not have a few friends.

Affirmative: They gave me many gifts on my birthday.

Negative: They did not give me a few gifts on my birthday.

A few → (Not) many

If we find the word “A few” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word not “Many” instead of the word [A few] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: I have bought a few books.

Negative: I have not bought many books.

Affirmative: He ate a few mangoes.

Negative: He did not eat many mangoes.

Much → (Not) a little

If we find the word “Much” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word, not “Little” instead of that word [Much] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: He wants much water.

Negative: He does not want a little water.

Affirmative: Ramesh has sold much honey.

Negative: Ramesh has not sold a little honey.

A little → (Not) much

If we find the word “A little” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word not “Much” instead of that word [A little] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: I want a little milk.

Negative: I do not want much milk.

Affirmative: We sold a little honey.

Negative: We did not sell much honey.

Only (Person) → None but

If we find the word “Only” after that any person in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “None but” instead of that word [Only] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Only god can help us.

Negative: None but God can help us.

Affirmative: Only he can do the sum.

Negative: None but he can do the sum.

Only (Thing) → Nothing but

If we find the word “Only” after that anything in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Nothing but” instead of that word [Only] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Only the moon was visible.

Negative: Nothing but the moon was visible.

Affirmative: I played only cricket.

Negative: I played nothing but cricket.

Affirmative: I like only mango.

Negative: I like nothing but mango.

Only (Number/age) → Not more than/ not less than

If we find the word “Only” after that any number and age in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Not more than/ not less than” instead of the word [Only] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Amit is only 16 years old.

Negative: Amit is not less than 16 years old.

Affirmative: You got only 50 % marks in English.

Negative: You got not more than 50 % marks in English.

Both_ and → Not only but also

If we find the word “Both___ and” after that any number and age in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Not only __ but also” instead of the word [Both___ and ] at the time of negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Both Rita and Gita were beautiful.

Negative: Not only Rita but also Gita was beautiful.

Affirmative: Ramen is both honest and faithful.

Negative: Ramen is not only honest but also faithful.

As- as → Not less- than/ not com (adj) than

If we find the word “As___ as” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Not less- than/ not com (adj) than” instead of that word [As___ as] at the time of negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Rupali is as beautiful as Sonali.

Negative: Rupali is not less beautiful than Sonali.

Affirmative: Hasan is as strong as Karim.

Negative: Hasan is not less strong than Karim.

OR Karim is not stronger than Hasan.

For the last time ————— Never

For Example:

Affirmative: I warn you for the last time.

Negative: I shall never warn you again.

Affirmative: They came here for the last time.

Negative: They will never come here.

Alone (Person) ————— None but

If we find the word “Alone” after that any person in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “None but” instead of that word [Alone] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: God alone can help me in this situation.

Negative: None but God can help me in this situation.

Affirmative: Mother alone loves her child.

Negative: None but the mother loves her child.

Too → to || So → that

If we find “Too—to” in an affirmative sentence, we will use “So—– that” instead of that word [Too — to] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: He is too weak to walk.

Negative: He is so weak that he cannot walk.

Affirmative: The child was too tiny to climb up the tree.

Negative: The child was so tiny that he could not climb up the tree.

Superlative degree (The best) → No other

If we find “Superlative degree (The best)” in an affirmative sentence, we will use “No other” instead of that word [Superlative degree (The best)] at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Arun is the best boy in the class.

Negative: No other boy in the class is as good as Arun.

Affirmative: Tendulkar is the best batsman in India.

Negative: No other batsman in India is as good as Tendulkar.

Than any other/ than all other → No other

If we find “Than any other/ than all other” in an affirmative sentence, we will use “No other” instead of that word [Than any other/ than all other at the time of the negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Sumit is better than any other boy in the class.

Negative: No other boy in the class is as good as Sumit.

Affirmative: Mumbai is bigger than all other cities in India.

Negative: No other city in India is as big as Mumbai.

Using helping verb + not without

For Example:

Affirmative: You have power.

Negative: You are not without power.

Affirmative: I hate you.

Negative: I am not without hate for you.

Affirmative: We respect you.

Negative: We are not without respect for you.

Using of “Not fail to”

For Example:

Affirmative: He plays football.

Negative: He does not fail to play football.

Affirmative: Speak the truth.

Negative: Don’t fail to speak the truth.

Affirmative: I saw the Victoria Memorial Hall.

Negative: I did not fail to see the Victoria Memorial Hall.

Making double Negative

Every will be “No” and “Un” will be added with verb

For Example:

Affirmative: He answered every question.

Negative: He left no questions unanswered.

Affirmative: You read every story.

Negative: You left no story unread.

Affirmative: The boy solved every problem.

Negative: The boy left no problem unsolved.

If the sentences are universal truth, you should make the sentences interrogative negative.

For Example:

Affirmative: The sun rises in the east.

Negative: Does not the sunrise in the east?

Affirmative: The earth is round.

Negative: Is not the earth round?

Affirmative: Honesty is the best policy.

Negative: Is not honesty the best policy?

Am, is, are, was, were + adjective ————– negative and opposite word of the adjective

If we find the word “Am, is, are, was, were + adjective” in an affirmative sentence, we will write the word “Not” instead of that word [Am, is, are, was, were + adjective] and make the opposite word of adjective at the time of negative sentence.

For Example:

Affirmative: Man is mortal.

Negative: Man is not immortal.

Affirmative: She is present.

Negative: She is not absent.

Affirmative: My brother is a good boy.

Negative: My brother is not bad boy.

There is a shortcut method to memorize the rules of inter-change of sentences from affirmative to negative sentences.

Affirmative to Negative

Always → Never (Opposite word of Verb, Adjective and Noun)
Sometimes → (Not) always (Opposite word of Verb, Adjective, Noun)
Must → Cannot but/ cannot help
All → No (Opposite word of Adjective, Verb)
For good/ forever → Never (Opposite word of Verb)
Every → No (Opposite word of Verb, Adjective)
Have to/ has to → Cannot but / cannot but help v-ing
As soon as → No sooner had —than
Many → (Not) a few
A few → (Not) many
Much → (Not) a little
A little → (Not) much
Only (Person) → None but
Only (Thing) → Nothing but
Only (Number/age) → Not more than/ not less than
Both___ and → Not only __ but also
As- as → Not less- than/ not com (adjective) than
For the last time → Never
Alone (Person) → None but
(Too—-to) → So—that
Superlative degree (The best) → No other
Than any other/ than all other → No other
Using helping verb + not without
Using of “ Not fail to”
Making double Negative
If the sentences are universal truth, you should make the sentences interrogative negative.
Am, is, are, was, were + adjective → negative and opposite word of adjective

More Exercise

Transform the following Affirmative Sentences into Negative Sentences

1. Affirmative – Hardly had Ram seen me when he called me.

Negative – No sooner had Ram seen me than he called me.

2. Affirmative – It is unlikely that Rakesh will help you.

Negative – It is not likely that Rakesh will help you.

3. Affirmative – Only good girls got good marks.

Negative – None but good girls got good marks.

4. Affirmative – My shirt is loose.

Negative – My shirt is not tight.

5. Affirmative – As soon as the clock struck ten, we went to sleep.

Negative – No sooner did the clock strike ten than we went to sleep.

6. Affirmative – As soon as he came, it began to rain.

Negative – No sooner did he come than it began to run.

7. Affirmative – He is too miserly to spend any money.

Negative – He is so miserly that he can not spend any money.

8. Affirmative – He loves all.

Negative – He does not hate all.

Negative – He does not hate anyone.

9. Affirmative – Iron is more useful than gold.

Negative – Gold is not so useful as Iron.

10. Affirmative – He found him dishonest.

Negative – He did not find him honest.

Negative – He did not fail to find him dishonest.

11. Affirmative – They should attend the marriage.

Negative – They should not fail to attend the marriage.

12. She is as dull as an ass.

Negative – An ass is not duller than she.

13. Affirmative – Ram is taller than Sita.

Negative – Sits is not so tall as Ram.

14. Affirmative – The question is difficult.

Negative – The question is not easy.

15. Affirmative – He goes to bed after midnight.

Negative – He does not fail to go to bed after midnight.

Negative – He does not go to bed before midnight.

16. Affirmative – Only a little child would talk like this.

Negative – None but a little child would talk like this.

17. Affirmative – He is too old to work.

Negative – He is so old that he can not work.

18. Affirmative – He saw the Taj.

Negative – He did not fail to see the Taj.

19. Affirmative – I was doubtful whether it was you.

Negative – I was not sure whether it was you.

20. Affirmative – He is richer than I.

Negative – I am not so rich as he.

21. Affirmative – As soon as he saw us, he ran away.

Negative – No sooner did he see us than he ran away.

22. Affirmative – He is greater than I.

Negative – I am not so great as he.

23. Affirmative – Affirmative – Great man make a sacrifice when necessary.

Negative – Great man does not fail to make a sacrifice when necessary.

24. Affirmative – Karim is taller than Sohan.

Negative – Sohan is not so tall as Karim.

25. Affirmative – Gopal is very careful about his studies.

Negative – Gopal is not careless about his studies.

26. Affirmative – As soon as we came out, it started raining.

Negative – No sooner did we come out than it started raining.

27. Affirmative – Only good boys are successful.

Negative – None but good boys are successful.

28. Affirmative – He helped me in my need.

Negative – He did not fail to help me in my need.

29. Affirmative – Fortune favours the brave.

Negative – Fortune does not fail to favour the brave.

30. Affirmative – False friends will come to you only when you have money.

Negative – False friends will not fail to come to you when you have money.

Negative – False friends will not come to you without you have money.

31. Affirmative – She proved to be a faithful wife.

Negative – She did not fail to prove to be a faithful wife.

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Sentence Transformation Techniques [English Grammar]