Changing Structure is a subcategory of Sentence, Clause, Phrase Manipulation in which respondents are asked to alter the actual structure of a sentence, clause, or phrase. This is often accomplished through movement of sentence parts (e.g., Bill bought Sara a vase. becomes Bill bought a vase for Sara.) and alteration of voice (e.g., active to passive).
ACTIVITIES:
1. Say each sentence a different way. Change the position of the second name.
EXAMPLE: Paul will buy a pearl necklace for Susan.
Paul will buy Susan a pearl necklace.
1. Paul will send some flowers to Susan.
2. Paul will bring a chocolate heart to Susan.
3. Susan will buy a gold chain for Paul.
4. Susan will write a love poem to Paul.
5. Paul will give an anniversary card to Susan.
6. Susan will give an anniversary card to Paul.
7. Susan will make a cake for Paul.
8. Paul will write a love letter to Susan.
9. Paul will buy a pearl necklace for Susan.
10. Susan will make a romantic dinner for Paul.
Foley, B. and Dowling, G. (1990). Grammar in Action, Book Two.
2. Restate these noun phrases as nouns plus relative clauses.
EXAMPLES: a much-loved story: a story that is loved very much
an all-consuming interest: an interest that consumes all
a fire-breathing dragon: a dragon that breathes fire
1. a death-defying stunt
2. a store-bought cake
3. a world-renowned expert
4. a mind-boggling fact
5. a handmade sweater
6. a weight-reducing machine
7. a face-saving maneuver
8. a well-trained employee
9. a love-starved kitten
10. a belt-tightening economic policy
Thewlis, S. (1993). Grammar Dimensions, Book Three.
3. Restate these active sentences as passive sentences. Change the subject of the active sentence into an adverb of place.
EXAMPLE: The Chinese invented gunpowder.
Gunpowder was invented in China.
1. Pakistanis speak Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi, Pashtu, and English.
2. The Tadjiks of Afghanistan have mined lapis lazuli for centuries.
3. The French consider snails a great delicacy.
4. People throughout Asia eat rice.
5. Australians consume more beer per capita than in any other country.
6. Ancient Egyptians worshiped cats.
7. The Japanese have developed a new system of high-resolution television.
8. Americans invented the games of baseball and basketball.
Thewlis, S. (1993). Grammar Dimensions, Book Three.
4. Change the underlined words to the passive voice. Do not mention the performer.
EXAMPLE: The thief fell while the police were chasing him. The thief fell while he was beinq chased.
1. The doctor's phone rang while she was examining me.
The doctor's phone rang while ________________________________________________.
2. While the ambulance was taking the patient to the hospital, he died.
While _____________________________________________________, he died.
3. While the wife was cleaning the house, the husband was preparing the dinner.
While _____________________________, ____________________________________.
4. While the beautician was cutting her hair, the manicurist was giving her a manicure.
While _____________________________,____________________________________.
Elbaum, S. (1996). Grammar in Context, Book 3, 2nd ed.
5. Here are some typical questions that travelers ask in a train station or an airport. Rewrite the questions, using noun clauses.
1. What's the price of a ticket to Washington?
Could you please tell me what the price of a ticket to Washington is?
2. How long is the flight from New York to Washington?
Do you know __________________________________________________?
3. Do they serve dinner on that flight?
I'd like to know _________________________________________________?
4. What's the platform number for the train to Boston?
Can you tell me what _____________________________________________?
5. What's the arrival time for this flight?
Please tell me what ______________________________________________?
6. What's the difference in price between economy class and first class?
I'd like to know what _____________________________________________?
7. Is Flight 109 on time?
Do you know __________________________________________________?
8. What time is it now?
Can you tell me _________________________________________________?
9. Which gate does the flight depart from?
I'd like to know which gate ________________________________________?
Fingado, G., Freeman, L., Jerome, M., and Summers, C. (1991). The English Connection, 2nd ed.
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