Exercises on Transformation of Assertive Sentences to Interrogative Sentences

Ever found yourself stumbling over the simple task of turning a statement into a question? It’s a fundamental skill, yet mastering the transformation of assertive sentences to interrogative ones can be trickier than it seems. This blog post is your ultimate guide! We’ll break down the rules, provide clear examples, and offer plenty of practice exercises on transformation of assertive sentences to interrogative sentences (with answers!) to help you sharpen your grammar skills and communicate with confidence.

Practice Exercises: Assertive to Interrogative Transformations

Let us now go through the following practice exercises on transforming sentences from assertive to interrogative sentences which will help you check your knowledge. 

Exercise 1: Basic Transformations

Instructions: Transform the following assertive sentences into interrogative sentences:

1. They are playing soccer.
2. She has a new car.
3. He likes to read.
4. We went to the beach.
5. You can swim.
6. The cat is sleeping.
7. They will arrive soon.
8. She writes poems.
9. He was tired.
10. The flowers are blooming.

Answers:

1. Are they playing soccer?
2. Does she have a new car?
3. Does he like to read?
4. Did we go to the beach?
5. Can you swim?
6. Is the cat sleeping?
7. Will they arrive soon?
8. Does she write poems?
9. Was he tired?
10. Are the flowers blooming?

Exercise 2: Advanced Transformations

Instructions: Transform the following assertive sentences into interrogative sentences:

1. She did not finish her homework.
2. They have been studying all day.
3. He is going to the store.
4. You should practice more.
5. The dog barked loudly.
6. She knows the answer.
7. They were walking in the park.
8. He will visit his grandmother.
9. We are having dinner.
10. They have seen that movie.

Answers:

1. Did she finish her homework? (Or: Didn’t she finish her homework?)
2. Have they been studying all day?
3. Is he going to the store?
4. Should you practice more?
5. Did the dog bark loudly?
6. Does she know the answer?
7. Were they walking in the park?
8. Will he visit his grandmother?
9. Are we having dinner?
10. Have they seen that movie?

Exercise 3: Mixed Tenses and Modals

Instructions: Transform the following assertive sentences into interrogative sentences:

1. She will be traveling next week.
2. They had already eaten dinner.
3. He must finish his report today.
4. We should have left earlier.
5. The rain was falling heavily.
6. You have been working hard.
7. She can play the piano.
8. They might come later.
9. He used to live here.
10. The sun is shining brightly.

Answers:

1. Will she be traveling next week?
2. Had they already eaten dinner?
3. Must he finish his report today?
4. Should we have left earlier?
5. Was the rain falling heavily?
6. Have you been working hard?
7. Can she play the piano?
8. Might they come later?
9. Did he use to live here?
10. Is the sun shining brightly?

Exercise 4: Negative Assertive Sentences

Instructions: Transform the following negative assertive sentences into interrogative sentences (aim for positive interrogative form):

1. He doesn’t like spicy food.
2. They weren’t at the party.
3. She hasn’t finished her book.
4. We didn’t see the movie.
5. You won’t be attending the meeting.
6. The cat isn’t sleeping.
7. They hadn’t heard the news.
8. She can’t speak French.
9. He wasn’t feeling well.
10. They don’t have any pets.

Answers:

1. Does he like spicy food?
2. Were they at the party?
3. Has she finished her book?
4. Did we see the movie?
5. Will you be attending the meeting?
6. Is the cat sleeping?
7. Had they heard the news?
8. Can she speak French?
9. Was he feeling well?
10. Do they have any pets?

Exercise 5: Wh-Questions (Transform and Add Wh-Word)

Instructions: Transform the following assertive sentences into interrogative sentences, and then use the provided word to create a Wh-question.

1. She went to the library. (Where)
2. He ate a sandwich. (What)
3. They are arriving tomorrow. (When)
4. She is wearing a red dress. (What color)
5. He is talking to his friend. (Who)
6. They went to the store to buy groceries. (Why)
7. She wrote a letter. (What)
8. He is feeling tired. (How)
9. They live in that house. (Which)
10. She is a doctor. (What)

Answers: 

1. Where did she go?
2. What did he eat?
3. When are they arriving?
4. What color is she wearing?
5. Who is he talking to?
6. Why did they go to the store?
7. What did she write?
8. How is he feeling?
9. Which house do they live in?
10. What is she?

Understanding Assertive and Interrogative Sentences

Let us begin by looking at what are assertive and interrogative sentences and how they will help you in the formation of the sentences. Moreover, you will also understand their purpose, structure and examples.

What are Assertive Sentences?

Definition:

• Assertive sentences, also known as declarative sentences, are statements that express facts, opinions, or ideas. They provide information and end with a period (.).

Purpose:

• To convey information, make declarations, or express opinions.

Structure:

• Typically follows a subject-verb-object (or complement) structure.

Examples:

• “The sun rises in the east.”
• “She enjoys reading books.”

What are Interrogative Sentences?

• Definition:
  • Interrogative sentences are questions that seek information. They always end with a question mark (?).
• Purpose:
  • To ask questions and gather information.
• Structure:
  • Often involves an inversion of the subject and verb, or the use of question words (who, what, where, when, why, how).
• Types:
  • Yes/No Questions: These can be answered with a “yes” or “no.” (e.g., “Is she reading a book?”)
  • Wh-Questions: These begin with question words and seek specific information. (e.g., “Where are they going?”)
• Examples:
  • “Is the cat sleeping?”
  • “Where did you go?”
  • “Have they finished their work?”

Also Read: 

• Affirmative Sentences

• Interrogative Sentence Voice Change

Rules for Transforming Assertive to Interrogative Sentences

Let us now look at some of the key rules for transforming assertive sentences into interrogative sentences. These rules will help you solve questions of exercises on transformation of assertive sentences to interrogative sentences.

Rule Category	Description	Example (Assertive)	Example (Interrogative)
Auxiliary Verbs Present	Invert subject and auxiliary verb (be, have, do, modals). Add question mark.	She is reading. They have finished.	Does he like pizza? Did they go to the park? Do you want a cookie?
No Auxiliary Verb (except “be”)	Use “do,” “does,” or “did” before subject. Change main verb to base form. Add question mark.	He likes pizza. They went to the park. You want a cookie.	Does he like pizza? Did they go to the park?Do you want a cookie?
“Be” Verbs (am, is, are, was, were)	Invert subject and “be” verb. Add question mark.	She is a teacher. They were late.	Is she a teacher? Were they late?
Adding Wh- Questions	Apply other rules, then place question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) at beginning.	He went to the park. She is reading a book.	Where did he go? What is she reading?
Negative Sentences	Often, positive assertive becomes negative interrogative, and vice versa.	She is not going. He does not like it.	Is she going? Does he like it?
Pronoun Changes	Adjust pronouns for logical questions.	I am going.	Are you going?

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