Phrasal Verbs: transformation exercise

Phrasal Verbs Transformation Exercise

Re-write the sentences below using a phrasal verb with the particle given in brackets, so that they have the same meaning as the original. The initial letter of the verb in question is given in each case to make it a bit easier for you:

1.- I haven't calculated the cost yet (out)
1.- I haven't w ...... the cost yet.

2.- One of those bombs could destroy our village in a split second (out)
2.- Our village would ...... w...... one of those bombs in a split second.

3.- My headache is disappearing (off)
3.- My headache is w......

4.- My wife has left me (out)
4.- My wife has w....... me.

5.- If something new happens, I'll let you know (up)
5.- I'll let you know if something new t.......

6.- The blonde upstairs excites me (on)
6.- The blonde upstairs t......

7.- I'm longing to get home and relax (down)
7.- I'm longing to get home and w.....

8.- The old lady goes to bed early (in)
8.- The old lady t....... early.

9.- He only mentioned the issue briefly (on)
9.- He merely t...... the issue.

10.- He was trying to get rid of his pursuers (off)
10.- He was trying ..... t...... his pursuers.

11.- The teacher reprimanded the children for being late (off)
11.- The children ...... t........ the teacher for being late.

12.- We should dissuade Gerald from buying such an expensive car (out)
12.- We should t........ buying such an expensive car.

KEY

1.- worked out; 2.- be wiped out by; 3.- wearing off; 4.- walked out on; 5.- turns up; 6.- turns me on; 7.- wind down; 8.- turns in; 9.- touched on; 10.- to throw off; 11.- were told off by; 12.- talk Gerald out of

For more phrasal verbs with their non-phrasal equivalents, you can consult my Gramática Inglesa. 9ª ed. actualizada, appendix 8, pp. 700-726, Pearson-Longman.

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Ejercicios de transformación gramatical con respuestas comentadas

Como ya sabéis por el curso anterior, el ejercicio de transformación gramatical consiste en lo siguiente: Dada una primera oración base y una determinada palabra, el objetivo es producir una segunda oración que tenga el mismo significado que la primera, pero usando la palabra dada, que no debe cambiarse en ningún caso.

Hoy os dejo otro ejercicio de este tipo, de nivel intermedio, pero con las respuestas comentadas, con objeto de que podáis repasar vuestros conocimientos de gramática inglesa. Con este fin, en la clave, os doy entre paréntesis la referencia a las páginas de mi Gramática Inglesa, 9ª ed. actualizada, donde podéis encontrar más información sobre el tema en cuestión:

1.- "How about going to the cinema tonight?", Lucille said.

(suggested)

1.- Lucille ............................to the cinema.

2.- They started the company in 1967.

(set)

2.- The company .......... in 1967.

3.- Martin wasn't strong enough to lift the box.
(have)
3.- Martin didn't ........................ to lift the box.

4.- "You should start a new hobby, Mr Robinson", the doctor said.
(take)
4.- The doctor advised .............................. a new hobby.

5.- We paid some people to landscape the garden for us last year.
(had)
5.- We .................................. last year.

6.- Please don't smoke in this room.
(rather)
6.- I'd ..........................in this room.

7.- My advice to you is to talk to your parents about it.
(would)
7.- If ..................................... talk to my parents about it.

8.- The strong winds blew down the two ancient trees during the storm
(blown)
8.- The two ancient trees .............................during the storm.

9.- We've been waiting here since half past six.
(for)
9.- We've been waiting ................. one hour.

10.- What a shame! There's no beer left.
(wish)
10.- I .................................left.

11.- What a shame! They ate all the food.
(wish)
11.- I .................................. all the food.

12.- Stop interrupting me all the time!
(wish)
12.- I ............................... all the time.

KEY

1.- suggested going - Comentario: suggest va seguido de forma en -ing cuando la sugerencia incluye a la persona que habla, como en el ejemplo propuesto. I suggested (that) we go es también posible, aunque suggest + that) + a subjunctive se usa preferentemente cuando se sugiere a otra persona que haga algo, e.g. I suggest (that) you/he/she, etc go to the doctor's. (p. 360, nota 3).

2.- was set up - Comentario: el verbo frasal to set up es sinónimo de to start con el significado de 'fundar' (pp. 700-726).

3.- have enough strength - Comentario: el sustantivo strength se deriva del adjetivo strong, al igual que length, de long (p. 626).

4.- Mr Robinson to take up. Comentario: to take up an activity es sinónimo de to start it (pp. 700-726).

5.- had the garden landscaped - Comentario: cuando tú no haces un trabajo tú mismo, sino que pagas a alguien para que te lo haga, usas la construcción to have sth done (p. 197).

6.- rather you didn't smoke. Comentario: I'd rather, para expresar algo que prefieres que alguien haga o no haga, va seguido de simple past . Por el contrario, si lo que quieres decir es que tú prefieres hacer o no hacer algo, I'd rather va seguido de infinitivo sin to (pp. 344-345).

7.- I were you, I would talk - Comentario: en if I were you, para traducir 'si yo fuera tú', encontramos were, como vestigio del subjuntivo de to be. Conviene saber, sin embargo, que la alternativa if I was you se oye hoy día, usada por los propios nativos, con cierta frecuencia (pp. 330-331).

8.- were blown down - Comentario: al pasar una oración de activa a pasiva, debe tenerse cuidado en respetar el tiempo verbal correspondiente, en este caso el simple past (pp. 284-291).

9.-   here for - Comentario: for indica 'durante un cierto periodo de tiempo' y since, 'un momento de tiempo determinado' (p. 484).

10.- wish there was/were some beer, o bien  wish we had some beer - Comentario: se usa I wish + simple past para expresar nuestro deseo de que algo sea distinto a como es, y equivale en español  a 'ojalá + pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo' (pp. 335-337).

11.- wish they hadn't eaten - Comentario: se usa I wish + past perfect, equivalente en español a 'ojalá + un pretérito pluscuanperfecto de subjuntivo',  para expresar nuestro deseo de algo hubiera ocurrido de forma diferente a como ocurrió en realidad o para lamentarse de haber hecho algo (pp. 335-337).

12.- wish you wouldn't interupt me - Comentario: en estas construcciones con I wish, se suela usar would cuando queremos expresar nuestra contrariedad ante el comportamiento habitual de una persona (pp. 335-337).

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Preparing for the 'oposiciones': key word transformation (advanced level)

Here's the final test, 'the acid test'. If you do this sentence transformation exercise correctly, it will mean that you are ready for the great day:

1.- He decided that he'd ask to be transferred to another department. (put)
1.- He decided .............. a request for a transfer to another department.

2.- He thought it unfair that his team resented him for not scoring a goal. (hold) 
2.- He thought it unfair that his team should ............for not scoring a goal.

3.- Being rude is inexcusable. (excuse)
3.- ..........................rude.

4.- How can I make him understand that I don't want to see him anymore. (across)
4.- How can I .................that I don't want to see him anymore,

5.- I don't care what you do. (concerned)
5.- ....................you can do what you like.

6.- It was a mistake not to write her address down. (point)
6.- I should ...................her address down.

7.- Can you possibly leave the flat empty before the end of the month. (appreciate)
7.- I ................ leave the flat empty before the end of the month.

8.- He'd been struggling in vain to think of a really original present for her daughter. (come)
8.- No matter how he tried , he couldn't ......... an idea for a really original present for her daughter.

9.- Because it snowed heavily during the night, the motorway is closed. (due)
9.- The motorway is closed ..................... that it had snowed heavily the night before.

10.- Although he was an excellent painter, none of his works was ever exhibited during his lifetime. (as)
10.- ...................................................... , none of his works was ever exhibited during his lifetime.

KEY

1.- to put in; 2.- hold it against him; 3.- There's no excuse for being; 4.- get (it) across to him; 5.- As far as I'm concerned; 6.- have made a point of writing; 7.- would appreciate it if you could; 8.- come up with; 9.- due to the fact; 10.- Excellent painter as he was

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Preparing for the 'oposiciones': grammar transformation exercises

Re-write the sentences using the word given in brackets, so that the second sentence has the same meaning as the first:

Exercise 1

1.- I don't have enough money to buy that iPad. (too)
1.- That iPad.......................to buy.

2.- I walked quietly because I didn't want to wake the baby. (so)
2.- I walked quietly................................ to wake the baby.

3.- I graduated from college a year ago today. (time)
3.- I graduated from college ...................year.

4.- I am sure it will snow tomorrow. (bound)
4.- ........................tomorrow.

5.- It wasn't obligatory to go to work today. I thought it was. (gone)
5.- .................................to work today.

KEY

1.- is too expensive for me
2.- so as not
3.- this time last
4.- It's bound to snow
5.- I needn't have gone.

Exercise 2 (from Flo-Joe CPE Practice Tests)

1,. The mistakes in the accounts was not noticed until the figures were re-checked (light)
1.- The mistake in the accounts only ..................the figures were re-checked.

2,. I had no problems at all during my trip to France (plan)
2.- Everything ................. during my trip to France

3.- The heavy downpour brought their picnic to an abrupt end (cut)
3.- They had to ..............because of the heavy downpour.

4.- The reforms will not succeed unless they are carefully planned (crucial)
4.- Careful ................of the  reforms

5.- They think that Helen's brother stole the money (suspected)
5.- Helen's brother ..................the money

6.- I feel completely exhausted when I've listened to Marion for half-an-hour (leaves)
6.- Half-an-hour ..............completely exhausted 

Key

1.-came to light when/after/once; 2.- went according to plan; 3.- cut short their picnic/cut their picnic short; 4.- planning is crucial to/for the success/plans are crucial to/for the success; 5.- is suspected of stealing/having stolen; 6.- (of) listening to Marion leaves me (feeling)

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Preparing for the 'oposiciones: phrasal verbs transformation exercises

Review phrasal verbs transformation exercises 2 verbos-frasales-transformation-exercises-2 and do the following new ones:

EXERCISE 3

1.- When she discovered that she had to appear on TV, she fainted. (out)
1.- She ......... when she discovered that she had to appear on TV.

2.- Sheila cried her eyes out when she was told she'd failed her driving test. (down)
2.- When she was told that she'd failed her driving test, Sheila.......

3.- They discussed the situation, but nobody had a solution. (came)
3.- They discussed the situation, but nobody ............. a solution,

4.- My father continued to get up at 6.30 even after he retired. (carried)
4.- My father ............................ at 6.30 even after he retired.

5.- In the race for promotion, Bill was ignored. (passed)

5.- Bill ................... in the race for promotion.

6.- You must do exactly what he instructs you to do. (carry)
6.- You must ....................... exactly.

EXERCISE 4

1.- He got her into the reception pretending she was his wife. (passing)
1.- He got her into the reception .............................his wife.

2.- I arrived late because I just missed the train. (turned)
2.- If I.................................................on time.

3.- The coach has the respect of the whole team. (looks)
3.- The whole team ...................... the coach.

4.- Carla's mother started the club that Carla now presides. (set)
4.- The club that Carla now presides ................ her mother.

5.- The world's oldest man died in his sleep last night. (away)
5.- The world's oldest man ................. in his sleep last night.

6.- Because of the recession, many firms have dismissed workers. (off)
6.- Many firms ................... because of the recession.

KEY

EXERCISE 3: 

1.- passed out; 2.- broke down; 3.- came up with; 4.- carried on getting up; 5.- was passed over; 6.- carry out his instructions

EXERCISE 4:

1.- passing her off as; 2.- hadn't missed the train, I would have turned up; 3.- looks up to; 4.- was set up by; 5.- passed away; 6.- have laid off workers

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Preparing for the 'oposiciones': grammar transformation exercise.

Re-write the sentences using the word given in brackets, so that the second sentence has the same meaning as the first:

1.- No matter how hard he tried, he never found the treasure. (much)
1.- ................................., he never found the treasure.

2.- I told her not to cross the park at night. (warned)
2.- I .............................. crossing the park at night.

3.- I didn't answer the phone, even though I knew it was my husband calling. (despite)
3.- I didn't answer the phone ............ it was my husband calling.

4.- "Remember to give Paul my present", Grandma told me. (reminded)
4.- Grandma ................................... present.

5.- I could never have passed that exam without your help. (you)
5.- I could never have passed that exam ..........................

KEY

1.- Much as he tried
2.- warned her against 
3.- despite knowing
4.- reminded me to give Paul her
5.- if you hadn't helped me.

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Preparing for the 'oposiciones': grammar transformation exercise

1.- Rob isn't here. He went to lunch twenty minutes ago. (gone)
1.- Rob isn't here. He ..............................................

2.- Many people think Maxwell stole the diamond. (believed)
2.- Maxwell...................................... the diamond.

3.- Stop interrupting me all the time. (wouldn't)
3.- ........................................ all the time.

4.- Can I open the window a little? (mind)
4.- ...................the window a little.

5.- This is the first time I have ever drunk vodka. (never)
5.- ........................................................ vodka before.

KEY

1.- has gone to lunch
2.- is believed to have stolen
3.- I wish you wouldn't interrupt me
4.- Do you mind if/do you mind my opening
5.- I've never drunk

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Preparing for the 'oposiciones': grammar transformation exercise

The 'opos' are around the corner, so I have devised an 'intensive training' plan (a post a day) to keep you fit for the 'grand final'.
Here's the first one: a transformation exercise, very useful for reviewing grammar. If you manage to get 100% correct answers in this type of test most of the times, you can be reasonably sure that grammar has no secrets for you.

Re-write the sentences using the word given in brackets, so that the second sentence has the same meaning as the first:

1.- Please don't smoke in this room. (rather)
1.- ............................ in this room.

2.- What a shame. There's no beer left. (wish)
2.- .....................beer left.

3.- What a shame. They ate all the food. (wish)
3.- .................................. all the food.

4.- Leave the shop or I'll the police. (unless)
4.- I'll call the police ....................

5.- Helen suddenly realized that the neighbour was watching her.(watched)
5.- Helen realized .............................................. the neighbour.

KEY

1.- I'd rather you didn't smoke
2.- I wish there was/were some
3.- I wish they hadn't eaten
4.- unless you leave the shop
5.- that she was being watched by

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Ejercicios de transformación gramatical con respuestas comentadas (nivel avanzado)

Advanced level

1.- You must try to accept that you will never become a famous actor
(terms)
1.- You ................................that you will never be a famous actor

2.- They didn't realize how serious the situation was
(little)
2.- ............................. how serious the situation was

3.- Observers believe he resigned because of the economic crisis
(believed)
3.- He ........................................... because of the economic crisis

4.- What would you do if you found a buried treasure?
(were)
4.- What would you do if you ..............a buried treasure?

5.- I regret drinking so much last night
(drunk)
5.- If only ............................. last night

6.- Although he drank too much, Norma loved her husband very much
(spite)
6.- Norma loved her husband very much......................that he drank too much

7.- I don't want you to spend that money on a new car
(sooner)
7.- ........................................ that money on a new car

8.- There is no precedent for that action
(is)
8.- That action.....................

9.- Please say hello to your sister from me
(remember)
9.- Please .....................your sister

10.- If you're not careful, you will be dismissed
(sack)
10.- You will ................if you're not careful

KEY

1.- must come to terms with the fact
Commentary: If you accept an unpleasant or sad situation and no longer feel upset or angry about it, you can say that you've come to terms with it/with that fact.

2.- Little did they realize
Commentary: With some verbs such as to know, to realize or to think, little is used at the beginning of the sentence with inversion of the subject and the operator did, to indicate that  sb did not know or think that sth would happen or was true.

3.- is believed to have resigned
Commentary: With some verbs such as to believe, to think, to say, to know or to suppose, two impersonal passive constructions are possible: a) It's believed/thought/said, etc. + that-clause, e.g. it's believed (that) he has resigned and b) he/she/they is/are believed/thought/said + to-infinitive. The to-infinitive can be a simple infinitive, e.g he's believed to be in Spain, or a perfect infinitive, if the fact happened in the past, e.g. he's believed to have resigned.

4.- were to find
Commentary: You use were + to-infinitive in type two conditionals to indicate that there are few chances for the condition to be fulfilled.

5.- I hadn't drunk so much
Commentary: if only + past perfect is synonymous with I wish + past perfect, so it can be used to express a regret or a strong wish.

6.- in spite of the fact
Commentary: In spite of  ('a pesar de') must be followed by a noun or an -ing form. It can't be followed by a clause with the verb in a personal form; in this case, you have to use in spite of the fact that, like in the example.

7.- I'd sooner you didn't spend
Commentary: I'd/he'd/she'd, etc. sooner (much prefer sth) has about the same meaning as I'd/he'd/she'd, etc. rather, and two constructions are also possible: a) I'd/he'd etc. sooner  + infinitive without to (used when the subject  of 'd sooner is the same as the subject of the infinitive, e.g. I'd sooner die than betray my country - prefiero morir antes que traicionar a mi país), and b) I'd/he'd etc. sooner + simple past (used when the subject of 'd sooner is different from the subject of the simple past), like in the example.

8.- is unprecedented
Commentary: If there's no precedent for sth, it is unprecedented.

9.- remember me to
Commentary: You say remember me to sb else when you ask sb to give your greetings to sb else. 

10.- get the sack
Commentary: to get the sack is an idiom meaning to be dismissed from your job.

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Ejercicios de transformación gramatical con respuestas comentadas (nivel intermedio-avanzado)

Upper-intermediate level

1.- I'm sure it was Vicky I saw in town as I recognized her coat
(must)
1.- It ...................Vicky I saw in town as I recognized her coat

2.- Did you manage to get in contact with the boss this morning?
(getting)
2.- Did you.....................in contact with the boss this morning?

3.- The boss wouldn't object to you going early today
(objection)
3.- The boss would not.....................you going out early today

4.- I regret taking up smoking
(wish)
4.- I ......................smoking

5.- Paul hasn't had a job for two years
(out)
5.- Paul .........................for two years

6.- Nothing has been decided yet
(no)
6.- .........................made

7.- It's a shame I don't have a camera
(wish)
7.- I.............a camera

8.- She took an umbrella, but it was not necessary
(taken)
8.- She ......................an umbrella.

9.- She returned the blouse to the shop because it was too small
(took)
9.- As the blouse was too small, she......................to the shop

10.- The thief said he hadn't broken into the house
(breaking)
10.- The thief .....................into the house

KEY

1.- must have been
Commentary: Must is used for deductions. In the present example, must + perfect infinitive was used because the action took place in the past. Compare: must be - debe de ser/must have been debe de haber sido.

2.- succeed in getting
Commentary: To manage to do sth and to succeed in doing sth are synonymous.

3.- have any objection to
Commentary: It is quite frequent to find  a verb paraphrased by a noun followed by a preposition, usually the same preposition the verb in question is constructed with: to object to sth = to have an objection to sth, to discuss about sth = to have a discussion about sth, to blame sb for sth = to lay the blame for sth on sb, to damage sth = to cause damage to sth, to prefer sth = to have a preference for sth, to hunger for sth = to have a hunger for sth, etc.

4.- wish I hadn't taken up
Commentary: I wish + past perfect is used to express your regret at having done sth.

5.- has been out of work
Commentary: not to have a job and to be out of work are synonymous.

6.- No decision has been
Commentary: To decide and to make a decision are synonymous.

7.- wish I had
Commentary: I wish + simple past is used to express a desire for sth to be different from the way that it is.

8.- needn't have taken
Commentary: When it wasn't necessary to do sth, but you did it nevertheless, you can say that you needn't have done it.

9.- took it back
Commentary: To return sth to the shop and to take sth back to the shop are synonymous.

10.- denied breaking
Commentary: when sb says that they haven't done sth, they deny doing it.

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Ejercicios de transformación gramatical con respuestas comentadas (nivel intermedio)

Intermediate level

1.- Are these books yours?
(own)
1.- ...................these books?

2.- My boss tries really hard to help me
(effort)
2.- My boss really ...................to help me

3.- That actress is only 22. I thought she was older
(as)
3.- That actress isn't..........I thought

4.- Olivia wasn't allowed to go camping with her boyfriend
(let)
4.- Olivia's parents...............go camping with her boyfriend

5.- Dick is in prison because a detective recognized him
(hadn't)
5.- If a detective ................, Dick wouldn't be in prison

6.- "Have you been on holiday recently, Ann?", Tony asked
(been)
6.- Tony asked Ann .........................on holiday recently

7.- The meal we had yesterday in that restaurant was so good!
(such)
7.- We had................yesterday in that restaurant!

8.- There's no point asking Jessica to help as she's really busy
(waste)
8.- It's .....................asking Jessica to help as she's really busy

9.- Does your sister resemble you?
(look)
9.- Does your sister .................you?

10.- The police are interrogating the suspects
(interrogated)
10.- The suspects ...................by the police

KEY

1.- Do you own 
Commentary: if sth is yours, you own it.

2.- makes an effort
Commentary: to try hard to do sth and to make an effort to do sth are synonymous.

3.- as old as
Commentary: For comparatives of equality, we use as....as in affirmative sentences,, and not as....as or no so.....as in negative sentences.

4.- didn't let her
Commentary: if sb is not allowed to do sth, they don't let him/her do sth. Make sure you use an infinitive without to after let.

5.- hadn't recognized him
Commentary: In third conditionals, you use a past perfect in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the main clause, but in this example, we have a mixed conditional, so would be has been used in the main clause instead of would have been, as Dick being in prison is a fact and not a possibility.

6.-  if/whether she had been
Commentary: The present perfect in direct speech becomes a past perfect in indirect/reported speech.

7.- such a good meal
Commentary: In exclamative sentences, you use so + adjective or such + a/an+ adjective + noun.

8.- a waste of time
Commentary: When there's no point doing sth, it's a waste of time doing it.

9.- look like
Commentary: to resemble and to look like are synonymous.

10.- are being interrogated
Commentary: to interrogate in the active becomes to be interrogated in the passive.

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Transformation Exercises 3

Re-write the sentences using the words given in brackets, so that the second sentence has the same meaning as the first

EXERCISE ONE

1.- Tell him he's got to obey orders
(make)
1.- ...............................obey orders

2.- My son started learning French two years ago
(for)
2.- My son.......................................two years.

3.- The film was in Japanese, so I didn't understand it
(understood)
3.- I...........................the film if it hadn't been in Japanese

4.- They were late because they got stuck in a traffic jam
(result)
4.- They were late ...........................stuck in a traffic jam

5.- It was silly of him to buy the software without reading the requirements
(ought)
5.- He...............................the requirements before buying the software

6.- He was sorry he had insulted his neighbour
(wished)
6.- He.............................insulted his neighbour

7.- They say he eats snakes
(is)
7.- He..................................snakes

8.- The meeting went on until 9 p.m.
(break)
8.- The meeting...............until 9 p.m.

9.- "I'll drive you to the station, Hugh", David said
(lift)
9.- David offered to.........................to the station

10.- I eat meat, but it has to be well cooked
(provided)
10.- I eat meat.........................well cooked

EXERCISE TWO

1.- Unemployment will probably rise in the next few months
(likely)
1.- Unemployment ............................ in the next few months

2.- This carpet really needs to be cleaned
(wants)
2.- This carpet really ........................

3.- I would prefer you to leave now
(rather)
3.- I ..............................now.

4.- They blamed the theft of the missing computer on Jason
(accused)
4.- Jason ...............................the missing computer

5.- I would like to be thinner
(fat)
5.- I wish ......................

6.- You should tell him what you think and let him decide
(better)
6.- You.............tell him what you think and let him decide

7.- It's not worth inviting her to the party. She will never come
(point)
7.- ......................inviting her to the party. She will never come.

8.- Mum never pays any attention to what I tell her
(notice)
8.- Mum never.....................what I tell her

9.- Andrew would like to learn how to design websites
(interested)
9.- Andrew......................................how to design websites

10.- She didn't visit him because she didn't know he was in hospital
(had)
10.- She would have visited him .........................he was in hospital

KEY

EXERCISE ONE: 1.- Make him; 2.- has been learning French; 3.- would have understood; 4.- as a result of getting; 5.- ought to have read; 6.- wished he hadn't; 7.- is said to eat; 8.- didn't break up; 9.- to give Hugh a lift; 10.- provided it is

EXERCISE TWO: 1.- is likely to rise; 2.- wants cleaning; 3.- would rather you left; 4.- was accused of stealing; 5.- wasn't/weren't so fat; 6.- had better; 7.- There's no point in; 8.- takes any notice of; 9.- is interested in learning; 10.- if she had known 

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Transformation exercises 2

Transformation exercises -2

Complete the second sentence using the word in brackets so that it has the same meaning as the first:

Exercise 1

a.- The hotel we stayed at last summer is better than this one
(good)
a.- This hotel.....................the one we stayed at last summer

b.- It wasn't me who took the book
(deny)
b.- I........................the book

c.- We were able to cross the river despite the strong current 
(succeeded)
c.- We...............................despite the strong current

d.- She doesn't usually eat three meals a day
(eating)
d.- She.........................three meals a day

e.- You shouldn't be here
(supposed)
e.- You ....................here

f.- Unfortunately, I couldn't see you because I didn't have time
(able)
f.- If I had had time,..................................to see you

g.- I've been living in this village for ages
(donkey's)
g.- I've been living in this village.................

h.- I regret leaving my job
(wish)
h.- I...........................my job

i.- The dress is so expensive! Why did you buy it?
(such)
i.- Why did you buy ...............................

j.- "Though I haven't seen him for a month, we have spoken by phone" Carol said
(admitted)
j.- Carol ..........................by phone

KEY  - 1

a.- isn't as good as
b.- deny taking/having taken
c.- succeeded in crossing the river
d.- isn't used to eating
e.- are not supposed
f.- I would have been able
g.- for donkey's years
h.- wish I hadn't left
i.- such an expensive dress
j.- admitted to speakin/having spoken to him

Exercise 2

a.- I haven't eaten ice cream for six months
(up)
a.- I....................ice cream six months ago

b.- I refuse to put up with the neighbours' noise any more
(enough)
b.- I've .............................the neighbours' noise

c.- I would like to be taller
(wish)
c.- I.....................taller

d.- We're getting a friend to repair the roof
(repaired)
d.- We..............................by a friend

e.- My relationship with Adam is none of your business
(nothing)
e.- My relationship with Adam......................

f.- She isn't likely to change her mind about it
(probably)
f.- She...............................about it

g.- She was about to say something when the phone rang
(point)
g.- She.............................................when the phone rang

h.- I'm sure he didn't phone, because I was at home all day
(have)
h.- He................................., because I was at home all day

i.- I don't like you speaking to me like that
(wish)
i.- I....................................to me like that

j.- I regret telling you about my new girlfriend
(wish)
j.- I.............................about my new girlfriend

KEY - 2

a.- gave up eating
b.- had enough of
c.- wish I was/were
d.- are having the roof repaired
e.- has nothing to do with you
f.- won't probably change her mind
g.- was on the point of saying something
h.- couldn't have phoned
i.- wish you wouldn't speak
j.- wish I hadn't told you

Exercise 3

a.- The hill was slippery because of the rain, so we had difficulty climbing 
(made)
a.- The rain ..........................., so we had difficulty climbing

b.- Could you try and spend a little less on Christmas presents this year
(rather)
b.- I'd..............................a little less on Christmas presents this year

c.- The film was so boring
(such)
c.- It ................................

d.- Why don't you help me more around the house?
(wish)
d.- I......................................more around the house

e.- I imagine you had a great time in Morocco
(must)
e.- You........................a great time in Morocco

f.- I can't believe this is the best hotel in the city
(hotels)
f.- There must be...........................in the city

g.- Do you think it would be a good idea to get my hair cut?
(suggest)
g.- Would you .............................my hair cut?

h.- That car was too expensive for us to buy
(been)
h.- We would .....................................expensive

i.- Despite looking everywhere, he never found his wallet
(although)
i.- He didn't .................................everywhere

j.- They believe that he murdered his wife
(he)
j.- .................................murdered his wife

KEY 3

a.- (had) made the hill slippery
b.- rather you spent
c.- was such a boring film
d.- wish you would help me
e.- must have had
f.- better hotels than this (one)
g.- suggest that I get
h.- have bought that car if it hadn't been so
i.- find his wallet, although he looked
j.- He's believed to have

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Phrasal verbs: transformation exercise

Los ejercicios de transformación con verbos frasales son más fáciles de lo que pueda pensarse. La clave está en encontrar un sinónimo no-frasal del verbo frasal en cuestión. He aquí algunos ejemplos:

- to account for sth = to justify - dar cuenta de, explicar, justificar: Every penny you spend will have to be accounted for/will have to be justified - tendrás que dar cuenta/justificar cada penique que gastes
- to act/play up = to give trouble - causar problemas, dar la lata: my car has been acting up/has been giving me trouble again - mi coche me ha estado dando la lata otra vez
- to blow over = to be forgotten - pasar, olvidarse (suceso): I hope the incident will soon blow over/will soon be forgotten - espero que el incidente se olvide pronto
- to blow up a photograph = to enlarge a photo- ampliar una foto: I like this photo. I'm going to have it blown up/to have it enlarged - me gusta esta foto. La voy a ampliar
- to brush up on sth = to review - poner al día/revisar (conocimientos): If you are going to France, you must brush up on/you must review your French - si vas a ir a Francia, debes poner al día tu francés
- to call sth off = to cancel - cancelar, suspender: The meeting has been called off/cancelled - la reunión se ha suspendido
- to put sth off = to postpone- aplazar: The football match has been put off/postponed because of the rain - el partido de fútbol se ha aplazado a causa de la lluvia
- to call on sb = to visit - visitar a alguien, pasar a ver: One of our agents will call on you/will visit you tomorrow morning - uno de nuestros agentes le visitará mañana por la mañana
- to carry on (with sth) = to continue - continuar: carry on with your work/continue with your work - continúa con tu trabajo
- to carry sth out = to conduct - llevar a cabo: We need to carry out/conduct some experiments - necesitamos llevar a cabo algunos experimentos 
- to die out = to become extinct - extinguirse: Dinosaurs died out/became extinct long ago - los dinosaurios se extinguieron hace tiempo
- to fall out with sb = to quarrel with sb- pelearse con alguien: He's fallen out/quarrelled with his partner - se ha peleado con su socio
- to get sb down = to depress sb- deprimir: This bad weather gets me down/depresses me - este mal tiempo me deprime
- to put some money aside = to save - ahorrar: Lucy's putting some money aside for her holidays/Lucy's saving for her holidays -Lucy está ahorrando para sus vacaciones
- to go off = to go bad - echarse a perder (alimentos): I'm afraid the fish has gone off/has gone bad - me temo que el pescado se ha echado a perder
- to look down on sb = to despise - despreciar, mirar por encima del hombro: Don't look down on him/don't despise him just because he's not rich - no lo mires por encima del hombro solo porque no es rico
- to look into sth = to investigate - investigar algo: The police will look into/investigate the matter - la policía investigará el asunto
- to put up with sth/sb = to stand, to tolerate- soportar, aguantar: How can you put up with/stand that awful noise? - ¿cómo puedes soportar ese horrible ruido?
- to make sth up = to invent sth - inventar (una historia, algo falso): That isn't true, he's made it up/he has invented it - eso no es verdad, se lo ha inventado
- to run sb down = to criticize - criticar a alguien, ponerlo verde: Stop running him down/criticizing him - deja ya de criticarlo
- to walk out = to go on strike - ponerse en huelga: The miners walked out/went on strike again this morning - los mineros se pusieron en huelga otra vez esta mañana

EJERCICIO

Re-write the sentences using the word given in brackets, so that they have the same meaning as the original:

a.- I'm really excited about the holiday 
(looking)
a.- I'm.............................the holiday

b.- His parents raised him very strictly 
(up)
b.- His parents..................very strictly

c.- Fortunately, the bomb did not explode
 (go)
c.- Fortunately, the bomb ......................

d.- The old man died in his sleep 
(passed)
d.- The old man ..................in his sleep

e.- Who spread that rumour?
 (put)
e.- Who .......................?

f.- The enemy forces are retreating
 (pulling)
f.- The enemy forces .......................

g.- Could you give me accommodation for the night?
 (up)
g.- Could you ...........................for the night?

h.- My daughter resembles my wife
 (takes)
h.- My daughter ......................my wife

i.- She'll inherit a large fortune when her uncle dies
 (into)
i.- She'll .........................a large fortune when her uncle dies

j.- Now it all makes sense
 (adds)
j.- Now it all ....................

k.- He improvised a few verses at his mother's birthday party (knocked)
k.- He ...................a few verses at his mother's birthday party

l.- He wouldn't lend me the money, but I managed to persuade him (round)
l.- He wouldn't lend me the money, but I .................

m.- Be careful! You're going to upset that vase
 (knock)
m.- Be careful! You're going to.................that vase .....

n.- A big crowd gathered to hear the President
 (turned)
n.- A big crowd ...................to hear the President

ñ.- The economy is beginning to improve at last
(pick)
ñ.- The economy is beginning ................at last.

o.- The children seem to like their new teacher 
(taken)
o.- The children seem to ......................their new teacher

p.- John is making a slow recovery from his illness
 (getting)
p.- John ...............................his illness

q.- Jimmy was scolded by his mother for being so rude
(told)
q.- Jimmy's mother ........................for being so rude

r.- I want to listen to the news. Increase the TV volume a bit, will you?
 (turn)
r.- I want to listen to he news. Will you ......................a bit?

s.- They don't know yet what caused the accident
(brought)
s.-  They don't know yet what .................the accident 

KEY

a.- looking forward to
b.- brought him up
c.-didn't go off
d.- passed away
e.- put that rumour about?
f.- pulling back
g.- put me up
h.- takes after
i.- come into
j.- adds up
k.- knocked off 
l.- got round him
m.-knock that vase over
n.- turned out
ñ.- to pick up
o.- have taken to 
p.- is slowly getting over
q.- told him off
r.- turn the TV up/turn up the TV
s.- brought about

To learn more useful phrasal verbs and their non-phrasal synonyms, you can have a look at my Gramática Inglesa, 9th ed., Pearson, pp. 700-726.

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Transformation exercises- 1

Transformation exercises:

Se trata de lo siguiente: Dada una primera oración base y una determinada palabra, el objetivo es producir una segunda frase que tenga el mismo o similar significado que la primera, pero usando la palabra dada, que no debe cambiarse en ningún caso. Por ejemplo:
a.- I haven't seen her for twenty years
(since)
b.- I haven't seen her since 1993

a.- I'd prefer to stay at home tonight
(rather)
b.- I'd rather stay at home tonight

a.- I've kept the receipt for the shirt because it may not fit you
(case)
b.- I've kept the receipt for the shirt in case it doesn't fit you

Estos transformation exercises son muy útiles para profesores y examinadores para comprobar el nivel de los alumnos, y para los propios alumnos para repasar las estructuras gramaticales, el léxico, los modismos, etc. y para preparar exámenes de nivel B-1 o B-2, como 4º y 5º de Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas o el Cambridge First Certificate in English Examination, más conocido como FCE (First Certificate English).
Los ejercicios de transformación se usan especialmente para repasar algunos de los siguientes temas:
- verbos + infinitivo con to/verbos + forma en -ing: to decide to do sth/to enjoy doing sth
- verbo +  infinitivo con to/ verbo + infinitivo sin to: to allow sb to do sth/to let sb do sth
- verbos + preposición: to borrow sth from sb/to lend sth to sb
- paso de oraciones activas a pasiva o viceversa: they cancelled the show/the show was cancelled
- to do sth/to have sth done: I cut the grass/I had the grass cut
- paso de estilo directo a estilo indirecto: "Can you help me?" the old lady asked me/The old lady asked me if I could help her
- verbos modales y semi-modales: needn't/not to have to: you needn't do it/you don't have to do it
- verbos frasal/ sinónimo no-frasal: to come into sth/to inherit sth; to get sb down/to depress sb
- oraciones condicionales, esp. las llamadas third conditionals: it rained, so we didn't go to the beach/we would have gone to the beach if it hadn't rained
- for/since: for two hours/since seven o'clock
- too/enough: too narrow/not wide enough
-so + adjetivo/such (a/an) + nombre: He's so old/he's such an old man
- distintas construcciones con I wish: I wish you told me/I wish you had told me/I wish you wouldn't be so reserved
- distintas construcciones con I'd rather: I'd rather leave now/I'd rather you left
- modismos y construcciones idiomáticas: it doesn't matter/it doesn't make any difference
etc.

En mi larga experiencia docente, he podido comprobar la dificultad que ocasiona este tipo de ejercicio a muchos alumnos. Es por esta razón por la que pienso dedicar un buen número de entradas en mi blog a transformation exercises, con su clave correspondiente para ayudar en lo posible a mis seguidores a superar esta dificultad. 

Exercise 1

Complete the second sentence using the word in brackets so that it has the same meaning as the first:

1.- The water wasn't warm enough; he didn't have a swim
(too)
1.- The water......................................have a swim

2.- I regret kissing him
(hadn't)
2.- I wish...............................

3.- Today is Saturday. Why did you come to the office?
(needn't)
3.- Today is Saturday. You........................to the office

4.- I passed the exam thanks to your help
(you)
4.- I wouldn't.........................

5.- I walked quietly because I didn't want to wake the baby
(so)
5.- I walked quietly........................... to wake the baby

6.- The man suddenly realised that the neighbour was watching him (watched)
6.- The man suddenly realised that...........................the neighbour

7.- I was made responsible for foreign sales
(charge)
7.- They ...................................foreign sales

8.- The doctors tried very hard to save his life
(best)
8.- The doctors..........................to save his life

9.- I'll help you change the wheel
(mind)
9.- I....................................the wheel

10.- Can you understand this paper?
(sense)
10.- Can you ..........................this paper?

Exercise 2

Re-write each of the following sentences using the word given in brackets so that it has the same meaning as the original

1.- She wants you to meet her outside the cinema (are)

2.- People believe that his discovery is very important (believed)

3.- I've never tasted such good food before (best)

4.- What a pity she wasn't taken to hospital sooner (only)

5.- My brother earns half of what I earn (twice)

6.- We had just arrived when it started to rain (than)

7.- Justin regrets losing his temper with his son (wishes)

8.- We paid some people to redecorate our house for us last year (had)

9.- He only did the work after he had been paid (not)

10.- Sandra will finish her exams. Then she will have more free time (once)

KEY

Exercise 1

1.- was too cold for him
2.- I hadn't kissed him
3.- needn't have come
4.- have passed the exam if you hadn't helped me
5.- so as not
6.- he was being watched by
7.- put me in charge of
8.- did their best
9.- don't mind helping you (to) change
10.- make sense of

Exercise 2

1.- You are to meet her outside the cinema
2.- His discovery is believed to be very important
3.- It's the best food I've ever tasted
4.- If only she had been taken to hospital sooner
5.- I earn twice as much (money) as my brother
6.- No sooner had we arrived than it started to rain
7.- Justin wishes he hadn't lost his temper with his son
8.- We had our house redecorated last year
9.- Not until he had been paid did he do the work
10.- Once she has finished her exams, Sandra will have more free time/Once Sandra has finished her exams, she will have more free time.

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