Summary of "Transformation of Sentences | ICSE & ISC Grammar | Rules | Boards 2026"

Transformation of Sentences: “Not only … but also” and “Besides”

Speaker: Aryan Thakkar Video: Transformation of Sentences | ICSE & ISC Grammar | Rules | Boards 2026

This document summarises the video lesson on converting paired or coordinated sentences into two constructions:

“Not only … but also …”
“Besides … (‑ing) …”

It covers which helping verb to use, verb forms after helping verbs and after “besides”, placement and punctuation, common mistakes to avoid, and exam tips.

Main ideas and lessons

How to transform paired/simple coordinated sentences into:
- “Not only … but also …” structures
- “Besides … (‑ing) …” structures
Which helping verb to use with “not only” depending on tense and subject (do / does / did / be-forms).
How to form the verb after helping verbs (base form) and after “besides” (‑ing; use “being” for be-verbs).
Positioning and punctuation rules for both constructions (start vs middle placement).
Common mistakes to avoid (repeating subject, using “also” with “not only”, wrong verb form).
Exam tips: punctuation and exact form matter for marks.

Detailed rules and step-by-step methodology

A. Rules for “Not only … but also …”

General structure when the sentence begins with “Not only”:
- Not only + helping verb + subject + main verb (base form) + rest … but also + (no repeated subject) + main verb/phrase.
Choosing the helping verb:
- Present tense:
  - Plural subject → use do:
    
    Not only do they…
  - Singular subject → use does: > Not only does he/she…
- Past tense:
  - Use did:
    
    Not only did he…
- If the original sentence already uses a be-verb (is/am/are/was/were), keep that be-form after “Not only”:
  
  Not only is the boy… Not only are they… Not only was he…
Verb form after do/does/did:
- The main verb must be in the base (infinitive) form (no -s, -ed). Example:
  
  Not only does she sing… (not “sings”)
After “but also”:
- Do not repeat the subject; give the second verb/phrase directly.
- The second element should be parallel (base form if joined with do/does/did) or an adjective/phrase as appropriate.
Mid-sentence placement (when “not only” is not at the start):
- Use: Subject + helping verb (if any) + not only + first element + but also + second element.
- Example:
  
  The boy is not only smart but also obedient.
If the question supplies a be-verb in the sentence, maintain that form with “Not only” (use is/am/are/was/were as the helping verb).

B. Rules for “Besides” (joining sentences)

“Besides” + verb requires the -ing (present participle) form.
- When “besides” starts the sentence:
  - Besides + verb‑ing + , + main clause.
  - Use a comma after the initial “besides (‑ing)”:
    
    Besides singing beautifully, she plays the piano well.
For be-verbs and passive forms:
- Use “being” as the -ing form of be:
  
  Besides being smart, the boy is obedient. Besides being thrown out of the class, he was punished.
When “besides” is placed in the middle:
- Usually no comma; structure is subject + be-verb + besides + verb‑ing (or adjective/clause).
- Note: the video emphasises no comma for mid-sentence “besides”, but choose the clearest natural phrasing in context.
Alternatives and flexibility:
- Often there are two acceptable transforms — either make the first part the -ing form or the second part the -ing form — provided sense and grammar remain correct.
- Example choices:
  
  Besides cleaning his room, he watered the plants. or Besides being told to follow the instructions, they were told to abide by them.
- Pick the grammatically clearer option if one sounds awkward.

C. Examples

Present simple (singular)
- Original:
  
  She sings beautifully. She plays the piano well.
- Not only:
  
  Not only does she sing beautifully but also play the piano well.
- Besides:
  
  Besides singing beautifully, she plays the piano well.
Past simple
- Original:
  
  He cleaned his room. He watered the plants.
- Not only:
  
  Not only did he clean his room but also water the plants.
- Besides:
  
  Besides cleaning his room, he watered the plants.
Present plural
- Original:
  
  They insult their elders. They disrespect them.
- Not only:
  
  Not only do they insult their parents but also disrespect them.
- Besides:
  
  Besides insulting their elders, they disrespect them.
Be-verbs / adjectives
- Original:
  
  The boy is smart. The boy is obedient.
- Not only:
  
  Not only is the boy smart but also obedient. (Mid placement) The boy is not only smart but also obedient.
- Besides:
  
  Besides being smart, the boy is obedient.
Passive / be-forms
- Original:
  
  He was thrown out of the class. He was punished.
- Not only:
  
  Not only was he thrown out of the class but also punished.
- Besides:
  
  Besides being thrown out of the class, he was punished.
Complex / passive with instructions
- Original:
  
  They were told to follow the instructions and abide by them.
- Possible “besides” transforms (teacher notes multiple acceptable constructions; choose the clearer one):
  
  Besides being told to follow the instructions, they were told to abide by them. or Besides abiding by the instructions, they were told to follow them.

D. Common mistakes and exam tips

Never use “also” with “not only” (avoid “Not only … also …”) — this is marked wrong in exams.
After do/does/did, the main verb must be in the base form (no -s/-ed).
Do not repeat the subject after “but also” when the subject is already present earlier in the clause.
Punctuation:
- Use a comma after “Besides (‑ing) …” when “besides” starts the sentence.
- If “besides” is used mid-sentence, usually do not use a comma (follow the mid-sentence rule).
If a question asks specifically to place “not only” or “besides” in the middle, apply the mid-sentence placement rules.
Small mistakes (wrong verb form, extra “also”, missing comma) can cost marks in board exams — be precise.