Transformation of Sentence: Assertive, Interrogative & Exclamatory

• An assertive sentence is a statement or a declarative sentence. E.g., Rohit is a good student.
• An interrogative sentence is a ‘yes-no’ or ‘wh’ question. E.g., Are you from India? Or, How can I help you, madam?
• An exclamatory sentence denotes emotion and ends with an exclamation mark (!). E.g., Hurrah! we have won the match.

In any “transformation of sentences” or “do as directed” grammar test, we frequently find the following types of questions —

1. Assertive to Interrogative sentence and vice versa
2. Assertive to Exclamatory sentence and vice versa

1. Assertive to Interrogative sentence and vice versa

We can use “yes-no” type questions and “wh” questions depending on the sentences to make them interrogative without changing the meaning. In the process of transforming an assertive sentence into interrogative and vice versa, an affirmative (positive meaning) sentence generally becomes negative and the negative one becomes affirmative.

Using “Yes-No” type questions:

• No one can do this. – Can anyone do this?
• Can I ever forget you? – I can never forget you.
• He plays good cricket. – Doesn’t he play good cricket?
• Isn’t Ritu a good student? – Ritu is a good student.
• This is the best place to visit in summer. – Is there a better place than this to visit in summer?

Using “Wh” questions:

• Everyone knows Sachin. – Who doesn’t know Sachin?
• This is the best place to visit in summer. – Where would you get a better place to visit in summer?
• You cannot say that to her. – How can you say that to her?

2. Assertive to Exclamatory sentence and vice versa

• What a fool you are! – You are a great fool.
• How beautiful the night is! – The night is very beautiful.
• Hurrah! We won the match. – It is a matter of happiness that we won the match.
• Alas! Our beloved leader is no more. – It is very sad that our beloved leader is no more.
• Oh! If I were young again! – I wish that I were young again.