Fill in the blanks.
1The stranger asked me ............... I could help him.
Wrong!
Use "if" after asked when reporting a yes/no question.
2The clerk asked the officer if he ............... go.
Wrong!
Use "could" because can usually backshifts in reported speech.
3The officer ordered the clerk ............... it immediately.
Wrong!
Use "to do" after ordered someone in reported speech.
4The doctor politely allowed the patient ............... in.
Wrong!
Use "to come" after allowed someone.
5The master ordered the boy ............... that letter at once.
Wrong!
Use "to post" after ordered someone in reported speech.
6The teacher forbade the boys ............... a noise.
Wrong!
Use "from making" after forbade someone.
7The teacher advised the boys to work hard ............... they wanted to pass the exam.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "if" and "whether" can introduce the reported condition here.
8I warned the child ............... down into the well.
Wrong!
Use "not to look" after warned someone.
Answers
- The stranger asked me if I could help him.
- The clerk asked the officer if he could go.
- The officer ordered the clerk to do it immediately.
- The doctor politely allowed the patient to come in.
- The master ordered the boy to post that letter at once.
- The teacher forbade the boys from making a noise.
- The teacher advised the boys to work hard if / whether they wanted to pass the exam.
- I warned the child not to look down into the well.
Notes
- ‘Please’ and ‘kindly’ call for the use of the verb ‘requested’. However,
- please is also used in orders and instructions. In that case, we will have to use a reporting verb like
- ordered, instructed or
- asked.
