Writing and Language

Rewrite the Sentence: 40 Examples and Exercises with Answers

By AIDetector365 Editorial Team · 13 min read · Published November 2, 2026 · Updated November 2, 2026

“Rewrite the sentence” is one of the most common instructions in English classes and exams. Sometimes it means changing grammar (active to passive, direct to reported speech); sometimes it means improving style (shorter, clearer, more formal). Both are about the same skill: saying the same thing in a different way without changing the meaning.

Below are 40 examples grouped by type, each with an answer. For style rewrites of your own sentences, our free sentence rewriter gives up to four alternatives instantly — more concise, plainer, more formal or restructured.

Key takeaways

Grammar rewrites change the structure but must keep the meaning and tense logic.
Passive voice: object becomes subject + form of “be” + past participle.
Reported speech usually shifts tenses back and changes pronouns and time words.
Style rewrites cut wordiness, lead with the point and choose stronger verbs.
A sentence rewriter helps with style; grammar exercises still need you to apply the rule.

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1. Rewrite the sentence in passive voice

Rule: move the object to the front, use “be” in the same tense as the original verb plus the past participle, and add “by + agent” only if it matters.

Active to passive
Active	Passive
The chef cooks the meals.	The meals are cooked by the chef.
Someone stole my bike.	My bike was stolen.
They are building a new bridge.	A new bridge is being built.
The committee has approved the plan.	The plan has been approved by the committee.
We will announce the results tomorrow.	The results will be announced tomorrow.
You must sign the form.	The form must be signed.

2. Rewrite the sentence in active voice

Passive to active
Passive	Active
The report was written by Maria.	Maria wrote the report.
Mistakes were made by the team.	The team made mistakes.
The decision is being reviewed by the board.	The board is reviewing the decision.
The package will be delivered by the courier.	The courier will deliver the package.

3. Rewrite the sentence in reported speech

Rule: shift the tense back one step (present → past, past → past perfect, will → would), change pronouns, and change time and place words (today → that day, here → there).

Direct to reported speech
Direct speech	Reported speech
She said, “I am tired.”	She said (that) she was tired.
He said, “I will call you tomorrow.”	He said he would call me the next day.
They said, “We have finished.”	They said they had finished.
“Where do you live?” she asked.	She asked where I lived.
“Close the door,” he told me.	He told me to close the door.
“Did you see the film?” he asked.	He asked if I had seen the film.

4. Combine the sentences

Combining two sentences into one
Two sentences	Combined	Using
It was raining. We stayed inside.	Because it was raining, we stayed inside.	because
She studied hard. She failed the test.	Although she studied hard, she failed the test.	although
I met a man. He speaks five languages.	I met a man who speaks five languages.	who
This is the house. I grew up there.	This is the house where I grew up.	where
He was tired. He kept working.	He was tired, but he kept working.	but
You can take the bus. You can walk.	You can either take the bus or walk.	either… or

5. Rewrite the sentence as a conditional

Conditional rewrites
Original	Rewritten
I don't have money, so I can't travel.	If I had money, I could travel.
She didn't study, so she failed.	If she had studied, she wouldn't have failed.
Hurry or you'll miss the train.	If you don't hurry, you'll miss the train.
Without your help, I wouldn't have finished.	If you hadn't helped me, I wouldn't have finished.

6. Rewrite the sentence using the word given

These key word transformations appear in Cambridge exams (B2 First, C1 Advanced). Use the word in capitals without changing it, and keep the meaning.

Key word transformations
Original	Word	Answer
It's not necessary to bring food.	NEED	You don't need to bring food.
I last saw her two years ago.	SEEN	I haven't seen her for two years.
He's too young to drive.	ENOUGH	He isn't old enough to drive.
It's possible that he missed the bus.	MAY	He may have missed the bus.
I regret not studying harder.	WISH	I wish I had studied harder.
Nobody in the class is taller than Tom.	TALLEST	Tom is the tallest in the class.

7. Rewrite the sentence to make it concise

These are exactly the rewrites our sentence rewriter automates: it shortens wordy phrases, swaps inflated words, expands or contracts for formality and can lead with the reason or condition. For the techniques behind them, see How to rewrite a sentence.

Wordy to concise
Wordy	Concise
Due to the fact that the meeting was delayed, we were not able to finish on time.	Because the meeting was delayed, we could not finish on time.
In order to improve our results, we need to utilize new strategies.	To improve our results, we need to use new strategies.
At this point in time, the majority of our users are on mobile.	Now, most of our users are on mobile.
She made a decision to make changes to the plan.	She decided to change the plan.

8. Rewrite the sentence more formally

Informal to formal
Informal	Formal
We can't make it on Friday.	We are unable to attend on Friday.
Kids need lots of sleep.	Children need a great deal of sleep.
Let us know if you need anything.	Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require assistance.
The results were pretty good.	The results were satisfactory.

How to rewrite any sentence correctly

Identify what the instruction asks: voice, speech, combination, condition, formality or length.
Find the subject, verb and object of the original sentence.
Apply the rule (tense shift, be + past participle, connector) without dropping information.
Check that the meaning, tense logic and facts are unchanged.
Read both sentences aloud; the new one should sound natural.
For style rewrites, compare options with the sentence rewriter and check grammar with the grammar checker.

Frequently asked questions

What does “rewrite the sentence” mean?

Express the same meaning with a different structure or wording, following the instruction: for example passive voice, reported speech or fewer words.

How do I rewrite a sentence in passive voice?

Make the object the subject, use the verb “be” in the original tense plus the past participle, and add “by” + the agent only if it matters.

Can the sentence rewriter do passive voice or reported speech?

No. It focuses on style: more concise, plainer, more formal, restructured, reworded or split versions. Grammar transformations like reported speech require applying the rule yourself.

Is there a free tool to rewrite sentences?

Yes. AIDetector365's sentence rewriter is free, needs no account and runs in your browser.

What is a key word transformation?

An exam task where you rewrite a sentence using a given word, usually in 2–5 words, without changing the meaning.

Put this into practice with the free Sentence Rewriter