This grammar exercise tests your ability to use direct and indirect speech.
1Sam asked me ............... I was going to the party.
Wrong!
Use "if" to report a yes/no question.
2Rajiv said that he ............... something to eat.
Wrong!
After a past reporting verb, present simple often backshifts to "needed".
3Martin said that he ............... that party.
Wrong!
After a past reporting verb, present simple negative often backshifts to "didn't like".
4Salini asked where ...............
Wrong!
A reported wh-question uses statement word order, so the correct answer is "her bag was".
5The teacher told the boys ............... quiet.
Wrong!
After "told the boys", use the infinitive "to keep".
6Maria said that she ............... to see the doctor.
Wrong!
After a past reporting verb, present simple often backshifts to "wanted".
7Sophia said that she ............... apply for that job.
Wrong!
When reporting past obligation, "must" commonly changes to "had to".
8The policeman asked the woman where ...............
Wrong!
A reported wh-question uses statement word order, so the correct answer is "she was going".
9Rahul asked me ............... crying.
Wrong!
A reported wh-question uses statement word order, so the correct answer is "why I was".
10Suma told her mother that she ............... be working late that night.
Wrong!
After a past reporting verb, "will" usually backshifts to "would".
11Manu asked his mother where ...............
Wrong!
A reported wh-question uses statement word order, so the correct answer is "his key was".
12The mother asked her son if he ............... his homework.
Wrong!
After a past reporting verb, present perfect often backshifts to "had finished".
Answers
- Sam asked me if I was going to the party.
- Rajiv said that he needed something to eat.
- Martin said that he didn’t like that party.
- Salini asked where her bag was.
- The teacher told the boys to keep quiet.
- Maria said that she wanted to see the doctor.
- Sophia said that she had to apply for that job.
- The policeman asked the woman where she was going.
- Rahul asked me why I was crying.
- Suma told her mother that she would be working late that night.
- Manu asked his mother where his key was.
- The mother asked her son if he had finished his homework.