---
title: "Transform sentences (AmE, informal, polite English)"
subject: "Communication English"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_5/communication_english:transform-sentences-ame-informal-polite"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/transform-sentences-ame-informal-polite
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Transform sentences (AmE, informal, polite English)

Communication English · Chapter 3: Contextual Grammar

- Asked in: 2068 Baishakh (old course), 4 marks
- Video: [FORMAL vs INFORMAL LANGUAGE | What's the difference? | Learn with examples](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWyGx2-xiiQ) — Learn Easy English
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/transform-sentences-ame-informal-polite
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-3

## Question

Transform the following sentences as indicated in the brackets:
a) I've got a handy lap-top. (AmE)
b) Could you please lend me your car for an hour? (Informal English)
c) It's believed that insomniacs are mentally ill. (Personal English)
d) Open the door. (Polite English)

## Short answer

a) I have a handy laptop. b) Can you lend me your car for an hour? c) Insomniacs are believed to be mentally ill. d) Would you please open the door?

## Answer

a) **American English:** "I have a handy laptop." (Americans prefer "have" to the British "have got" for possession, and write "laptop" as one word.)

b) **Informal English:** "Can you lend me your car for an hour?" (or "Lend me your car for an hour, will you?")

c) **Personal construction:** "Insomniacs are believed to be mentally ill." (The impersonal "It is believed that ..." is turned into a personal construction with the subject at the start.)

d) **Polite English:** "Would you please open the door?" (or "Could you open the door, please?")

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What change makes 'I've got a handy lap-top' American English?
   A. 'have' replaces 'have got' and 'laptop' is one word
   B. 'got' is changed to 'gotten'
   C. 'handy' is removed
   D. 'lap-top' becomes 'lap top'
   Answer: A. Americans prefer 'have' for possession. (Key point: American English)

2. Which is the informal version of 'Could you please lend me your car for an hour?'
   A. Can you lend me your car for an hour?
   B. Would you kindly lend me your car?
   C. I request the loan of your car.
   D. Might you possibly lend your car?
   Answer: A. 'Can you' is more casual than 'Could you please'. (Key point: Informal English)

3. 'It's believed that insomniacs are mentally ill' becomes:
   A. Insomniacs are believed to be mentally ill.
   B. It is believed insomniacs be ill.
   C. Insomniacs believed to be ill.
   D. They believe insomniacs ill.
   Answer: A. The subject moves to the start with 'be believed to'. (Key point: Personal construction)

4. Which is the polite form of 'Open the door'?
   A. Would you please open the door?
   B. Open the door now.
   C. You open the door.
   D. Door open.
   Answer: A. A question with 'would' and 'please' makes the request polite. (Key point: Polite English)

## Related in Communication English

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