Writing Transformation Tasks
Writing transformation tasks are GCSE exercises that ask a student to rewrite a given sentence or short passage in a different grammatical form, such as changing tense, voice, person or register, while keeping the original meaning. They test precise control of grammar and vocabulary and appear in SPaG and functional-writing questions.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the original sentence carefully and identify exactly what meaning it conveys.
- Identify what type of transformation is being asked for, e.g. active to passive, direct to reported speech, or formal to informal.
- Change only the grammatical structure needed for the transformation; keep all original information (who, what, when).
- Adjust verb forms, pronouns and word order so the new sentence is grammatically correct.
- Re-read your new sentence against the original to check no meaning has been lost or added.
- Check punctuation and capitalisation fit the new sentence form, e.g. remove speech marks when writing reported speech.
Worked example
Transform this sentence from active to passive voice, keeping the same meaning: 'The council planted two hundred trees along the riverbank.'
- Identify the subject (the council), verb (planted) and object (two hundred trees) of the active sentence.
- In the passive version, the object becomes the new subject: 'Two hundred trees'.
- Change the verb to a passive form using 'were' plus the past participle: 'were planted'.
- Add 'by the council' at the end to keep the agent, introduced with 'by'.
- Combine the parts and check the word order and punctuation.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Transform this sentence from direct speech to reported speech, making any necessary changes to tense and pronouns: Maya said, 'I will finish the project tomorrow.'
Transform this sentence from passive to active voice, keeping the same meaning: 'The trophy was awarded to the team by the head teacher.'
Rewrite the following informal sentence in a formal register suitable for a letter of complaint, keeping the same overall meaning: 'This is well out of order, you lot need to sort it fast.'
Free printable worksheet
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