Grammar topics for sentence transformations

Comparatives, as... as, the same as & the verb PREFER

Past simple, present perfect, never and "the first time..." .
Passive to active and occasionally active to passive transformations
Antonyms [opposites] and Synonyms
Quantifiers: a few, not many, most, all etc
Have/has => there is/are
So do I/So does she
Close to/far from/near
Reported speech to direct speech
Infinitive of purpose eg I went to the shop TO BUY some bread.
Indefinite pronouns [nothing, anyone etc]
Unless/as long as, providing
Second conditional
What about + -ING =>Shall we...
Other types of transformation occasionally seen are:-

Have versus have got

During and While
Negative infinitives eg I decided not to go.
One of my friends => a friend of mine
To be keen on + Verb+ING
She gets there in 10 minutes => It TAKES her 10 minutes to get there.
PET EXAM – WRITING Part 1 – Sentence Transformation

1. past simple + ago → present perfect + for

2. past simple → used to

3. comparisons

4. my/your etc. + noun → a + noun + of mine/yours etc.

5. passive verb → active verb

6. there is/there are → has/have got

7. such + noun → so + adjective

8. if + negative verb → unless + affirmative verb

9. it was the first time ... → past perfect (negative) + before

10. direct speech → reported speech

11. like ... more than ... → prefer ... to ...

12. can + infinitive without to → be allowed + infinitive with to

13. lend → borrow

14. too + adjective → not + adjective + enough

1. Carrie arrived at the airport two hours ago. → Carrie has been at the airport for two hours.
2. He had a really old computer before. → He used to have a really old computer.
3. Maria isn't as tall as her sister. → Maria is shorter than her sister.
4. One of my friends gave me this book. → A friend of mine gave me this book.
5. Magazines are sold in that shop now. → That shop sells magazines now.
6. There is a big swimming pool at the sports centre. → The sports centre has a big swimming
pool.
7. It was such a good cake they bought another one. → The cake was so good they bought
another one.
8. Her English won't improve if she doesn't practise. → Her English won't improve unless she
practises.
9. It was the first time Bob had been to the Science Museum. → Bob hadn't been to the
Science Museum before.
10. Beth suggested joining a dance class. → Beth said: “Why don't we join a dance class?”
11. They like rock more than pop music. → They prefer rock to pop music.
12. You can't smoke in the library. → You are not allowed to smoke in the library.
13. Susan lent me her blue pullover. → I borrowed Susan's blue pullover.
14. Jason is too careless to drive that car! → Jason isn’t careful enough to drive that car!
1. There is / there are and have / have got
Example: There are two restaurants in the hotel.
The hotel has (got) two restaurants.
2. Present perfect (with for or since) and Past Simple (with ago)
Example: I bought my computer six months ago.
I have had my computer for six months.
Or
I have known Jim for two years.
I (first) met Jim two years ago.
Remember that sometimes you will need to change a “state” verb (like have or know)
into an “action” verb (like buy or meet)
3. Spend time doing something and take someone time to do something
Example: We spent three hours looking for her house.
It took us three hours to find her house.
4. When and until
Example: We left when Jane arrived.
We didn’t leave until Jane arrived. Or We stayed until Jane arrived
5. much / many and a few / a little
Example: We didn’t spend much money.
We only spent a little money.
Or
They only had a few books about Venice.
They didn’t have many books about Venice.
6. Suggested (doing) and Why don’t you / we
Example: Jane suggested going to the cinema.
Jane said: “Why don’t we go to the cinema?”
7. Ought (to do) and should (do) (both used for giving advice)
Example: You should buy a new computer.
You ought to buy a new computer.
8. cost (verb) and price (noun)
Example: How much does a new computer cost?
What is the price of a new computer?
9. (in order) to and because
Example: She went to Hollywood in order to become an actress.
She went to Hollywood because she wanted to become an actress.
10. Comparative and superlative structures.
Example: I’ve never seen such a good film.
This is the best film I’ve ever seen.
Or
There are more people here than yesterday.
There aren’t as many / so many people as there were yesterday.
Or
His brother is taller than him
He isn’t as tall as his brother.
11. Obligation structures like must / mustn’t / have to / don’t have to / need to / don’t
 need to
Example: It is free to attend the meeting.
You don’t have to / need to pay to attend the meeting.
Or
Wearing a uniform is compulsory.
You have to / must wear a uniform.
Or
It is forbidden to smoke here.
You mustn’t smoke here.
12. Want and would like
Example: Would you like to play tennis?
Do you want to play tennis?
13. Reported speech. Usually at PET this will be present (perfect) to past (perfect) or
past (perfect) to present (perfect)
Example: “I like going to the cinema” said Mary.
Mary said that she liked going to the cinema.
OR
Jack told me he had visited New York twice.
“I have visited New York twice” said Jack.
14. Active voice to passive voice (or vice versa)
Example: Someone showed me the photo.
I was shown the photo.
OR
The building was designed by Gaudi.
Gaudi designed the building.
15. so + adjective + that and too + adjective
Example: It was so hot that we didn’t go sightseeing.
It was too hot to go sightseeing.
16. have enough money and afford.
Example: We didn’t have enough money to go to the restaurant.
We couldn’t afford to go to the restaurant.
17. if and unless
Example: If he doesn’t study he won’t pass the exam.
He won’t pass the exam unless he studies.
18. Possessive forms and belong to
Example: Are those your shoes?
Do those shoes belong to you?
19. borrow and lend
Example: My brother lent me some money.
I borrowed some money from my brother.
20. Shall I / Shall we for suggestions
Example: Would you like me to open the window?
Shall I open the window?