Question

Change the following sentence from exclamatory to assertive:
To think that we should both be here!
a. How nice it is that we should both be here.
b. It is good that we should both be here.
c. How strange that we should both be here.
d. It is strange that we should both be here.

Answer 1

Hint:Read the given sentence carefully, and try to understand the meaning of the sentence. Point out what type of sentence it is, take the punctuation used into consideration. Then, read the given options. Choose the one which sounds decisive and is grammatically correct.

Complete answer: The given sentence is clearly an exclamatory sentence. It is evident due to the fact that there is an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence, and it contains a jumbled order of words. The sentence is arranged in such a way that it seems to be mocking the idea mentioned. So, there is a shock factor. In order to convert it into a simple fact, we will need to add another phrase that conveys shock.

Now, we know exactly which type of sentence we need. Let’s look at the given options:
a. How nice it is that we should both be here. - This sentence also contains a jumbled order of words. This is not an assertive sentence. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b. It is good that we should both be here. - This sentence is an assertive sentence because it has the correct order of words. However, it does not convey any shock. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
c. How strange that we should both be here. - This sentence also contains a jumbled order of words. This is not an assertive sentence. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d. It is strange that we should both be here. - This sentence is an assertive sentence because it has the correct order of words. This sentence also conveys shock. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
Therefore, option d is correct.

Note: Assertive sentences are supposed to be simple statements without any extreme emotions mentioned. Look for pointers suggesting which words and phrases to use. The punctuations that are mentioned in the given sentence suggest shock.