Direct & Indirect Speech — Set 11
Questions 101–110 of 140
Convert: "Would you mind closing the door?" he asked.
Correct Answer: B. He asked if I would mind closing the door
Polite questions use 'if' or 'whether' in indirect speech. The pronoun 'you' changes to 'I', and the modal 'would' changes to 'would' (as it's already past). The correct form is 'He asked if I would mind closing the door'.
"I am sorry, but I cannot attend the meeting," he said. Convert to indirect.
Correct Answer: D. He said he was sorry, but he couldn't attend the meeting
Both the introductory clause and the main clause change tense. 'Am sorry' becomes 'was sorry', and 'cannot' becomes 'couldn't'. The correct form is 'He said he was sorry, but he couldn't attend the meeting'.
Convert: "I regret that I made that mistake," she said.
Correct Answer: B. She said she regretted that she had made that mistake
The reporting verb 'regret' changes from present to past 'regretted'. The past simple 'made' changes to past perfect 'had made'. The correct form is 'She said she regretted that she had made that mistake'.
"I swear I am telling the truth," he said. Report this.
Correct Answer: B. He swore that he was telling the truth
When 'swear' is used as a reporting verb, it changes from present to past 'swore'. The present continuous 'am telling' changes to past continuous 'was telling'. The correct form is 'He swore that he was telling the truth'.
Convert: "I promise I will never hurt you," she said.
Correct Answer: B. She promised that she would never hurt me
When 'promise' is used as a reporting verb, it changes to past tense 'promised'. The future 'will never hurt' changes to 'would never hurt'. The correct form is 'She promised that she would never hurt me'.
"I admit I was wrong," he said. Convert to indirect.
Correct Answer: B. He admitted that he was wrong
When 'admit' is used as a reporting verb, it changes from present 'admit' to past 'admitted'. The past tense 'was' may remain or stay as past simple. The correct form is 'He admitted that he was wrong'.
Convert: "I suggest we take a break," she said.
Correct Answer: C. She suggested that we take a break
After 'suggest', the subjunctive form (infinitive without 'to' or with 'should') is often used. The form 'She suggested that we take a break' or 'She suggested that we should take a break' are both acceptable. Mastering this concept helps in solving grammar-based questions in competitive examinations like SSC and banking exams.
"I insist you come on time," he said. Report this.
Correct Answer: B. He insisted that I come on time
After 'insist', the subjunctive form is used. The form 'He insisted that I come on time' maintains the subjunctive mood for reported directives even when the main verb is in past tense. Mastering this concept helps in solving grammar-based questions in competitive examinations like SSC and banking exams.
Convert: "I request that you be here at 9," she said.
Correct Answer: B. She requested that I be here at 9
After 'request', the subjunctive form 'be' is used instead of 'am'. The form 'She requested that I be here at 9' correctly maintains the subjunctive mood in reported speech. Mastering this concept helps in solving grammar-based questions in competitive examinations like SSC and banking exams.
"I demand that this be done immediately," he said. Convert to indirect.
Correct Answer: B. He demanded that this be done immediately
After 'demand', the subjunctive form 'be' is maintained in reported speech. The form 'He demanded that this be done immediately' preserves the forceful imperative mood of the original statement. For example, 'He said that he was happy' is the indirect form of 'He said: I am happy'.