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Tanit Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

CPE Sentence transformation 3

Could anybody check this exercise for me? Many thanks!

Rules are as usual:
- the sentence in green must be completed so as to keep the same meaning as the one in blue
- no less than 3 and no more than 8 words (including the word in bold) must be used
- my sentences are in black, and the words I've added in italics.

1. Could you help me tackle this problem?
[deal] I’d be grateful …………… this problem.
I’d be grateful if you could help me deal with this problem.
I’d be grateful if you could help me to deal with this problem.

2. I regret that my education has left me so ill-equipped for real life.
[prepared] If …………… for real life.
If only I were better prepared for real life.
If only my education had better prepared me for real life.

3. She never passed any exams, as far as I know.
[knowledge] To …………… no paper qualifications.
To the best of my knowledge, she has no paper qualifications.

4. He’d better abandon all hope of promotion.
[thoughts] He should …………… promoted out of his mind.
He should push any thoughts of him being promoted out of his mind.

5. What is the point of all this research?
[aid] What is …………… of?
What is all this research in aid of?

6. The scriptwriter said that she’d invented the whole plot herself.
[thought] The scriptwriter said that she’d …………… help.
The scriptwriter said that she’d thought up the whole plot without any help. The scriptwriter said that she’d thought up the whole plot herself without any help.

7. None of use expected to have a test today.
[blue] Yesterday’s test …………… for us all.
Yesterday’s test came out of the blue for us all.
8. It’s difficult for some people to express their feelings.
[words] Putting …………… is difficult for some people.
Putting their feelings into words is difficult for some people.
  

Top answer

Hi Tanit, 1. Could you help me tackle this problem ? [ deal ] I’d be grateful …………… this problem.

— BarbaraPA

  • Hi Tanit, 1.
  • Could you help me tackle this problem ?
  • [ deal ] I’d be grateful …………… this problem.
  • I’d be grateful if you could help me deal with this problem.
  • -- You can also say "if you would" instead of "if you could" I’d be grateful if you could help me to deal with this problem.
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5 Answers
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Hi Tanit,

1. Could you help me tackle this problem?
[deal] I’d be grateful …………… this problem.
I’d be grateful if you could help me deal with this problem. -- You can also say "if you would" instead of "if you could"
I’d be grateful if you could help me to deal with this problem.
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Hi Barbara,
Thank you very much!
May I ask a couple of clarifications about sentences no. 1 and no. 4?
Grammar Geek1. Could you help me tackle this problem?
[deal] I’d be grateful …………… this problem.
I’d be grateful if you could help me deal with this problem. -- Y
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Hi Tanit,

I don't think "help me to X" is wrong but not necessary. This may be a BrE/AmE difference though.

In fact, you will hear him being, his seeing, etc, but the correct version is his being. For an exam, without hesitation, I would use only the possessive.

As you know, BrE idioms aren't my strong point.
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Thanks again, Barbara. Your answer was really helpful, especially the him/his beingpart. Emotion: smile
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1. Could you help me tackle this problem?
[deal] I’d be grateful …………… this problem.
For this question, I wonder if we could say:
I'd be grateful if you could help me out with this problem. Or:
I'd be grateful if you helped me out with this problem. Or
I'd be grateful if you could help
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