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

Purpose

The video (Arin Tutorials) explains how to transform sentences using the words/phrases “lest” and “notwithstanding” for ICSE & ISC grammar/board exam practice. It gives meanings, sentence structures, cautions, and multiple example transformations.

Main ideas and rules

1) Lest

Meaning: “for fear that,” “otherwise,” or “or else” — used to express prevention of an undesirable result.
Structure / formation:
- Use: lest + subject + should + base verb + (rest of clause).
- Avoid explicit negatives immediately after lest (do not use “not” or other negative constructions).
- “Should” is normally retained after the subject in the lest-clause.
How to transform (method):
- Identify the clause that expresses purpose to avoid something (often “so that … would not” / “so that … won’t / wouldn’t”).
- Replace that purpose clause with a lest-clause: “lest + subject + should + verb…”
Tip: Think of “lest” as replacing “otherwise / or else / for fear that” and then follow with subject + should.

Examples (original → transformed):

She left early so that she wouldn’t miss the train. → She left early lest she should miss the train.

He trained daily so that he would not lose the championship. → He trained daily lest he should lose the championship.

She speaks politely so that she does not offend anyone. → She speaks politely lest she should offend anyone.

They revised thoroughly so that they would not make mistakes. → They revised thoroughly lest they should make mistakes.

2) Notwithstanding

Meaning: “not denying the fact,” i.e., “in spite of,” “despite.”
Forms:
- Notwithstanding + noun/noun phrase, + main clause. Example: Notwithstanding his injury, he continued the game.
- Notwithstanding the fact that + clause, + main clause. Example: Notwithstanding the fact that she is honest, she is stubborn.
Structure / formation:
- Place the notwithstanding phrase at the start of the sentence (or before the contrasted clause), then a comma, then the main clause that contrasts.
- Alternatively, use “notwithstanding + noun phrase” (e.g., “Notwithstanding the narrowness of the road,…”).
Cautions:
- Notwithstanding is one word — do not write it as “not withstanding”.
- Do not connect the two contrasted clauses with “but” or “or” when using notwithstanding; use a comma instead.

Examples (original → transformed):

She is honest, she is stubborn. → Notwithstanding her honesty, she is stubborn. → Notwithstanding the fact that she is honest, she is stubborn.

Although the road was narrow, the driver sped through without slowing down. → Notwithstanding the narrowness of the road, the driver sped through without slowing down. → Notwithstanding the fact that the road was narrow, the driver sped through without slowing down.

Though the weather was cold, they went swimming in the lake. → Notwithstanding the cold weather, they went swimming in the lake. → Notwithstanding the fact that the weather was cold, they went swimming in the lake.

He was injured but continued the game. → Notwithstanding his injury, he continued the game. → Notwithstanding the fact that he was injured, he continued the game.

He apologized sincerely but she remained angry. → Notwithstanding his sincere apology, she remained angry. → Notwithstanding the fact that he apologized sincerely, she remained angry.

Extra notes

The video included brief, somewhat unclear remarks about adverbs; these are not necessary for the core transformation rules.
The presenter reminds viewers to use commas appropriately after the notwithstanding phrase and to avoid using conjunctions like “but” when linking contrasted clauses with notwithstanding.