This grammar exercise tests your knowledge of reported speech.
Fill in the blanks.
1. The mother asked the boy why …………………… crying.
Correct!
Wrong!
In reported questions, the auxiliary verb goes after the subject.
2. He told me that I …………………… wait for him.
Correct!
Wrong!
3. They told him ……………………….
Correct!
Wrong!
We report imperatives with a to-infinitive.
4. She said that she ………………………… to the party.
Correct!
Wrong!
When the reporting verb (said) is in the past tense, we use past tenses in the reported speech as well.
5. He insisted that I ……………………….. accompany him.
Correct!
Wrong!
6. I don’t know …………………. I will pass the test.
Correct!
Wrong!
We can use if or whether to report an Yes/No question.
7. The chairman said that they …………………….. have to postpone the meeting.
Correct!
Wrong!
8. I requested him …………………………… me.
Correct!
Wrong!
We report imperatives with to-infinitives.
9. Peter asked if I ………………………. his purse.
Correct!
Wrong!
Present perfect in the direct speech becomes past perfect in the indirect speech. 'Have you seen my purse?' asked Peter. Peter asked if/whether I had seen his purse.
10. She said that she …………………….. ready for the party.
Correct!
Wrong!
11. She exclaimed that she ……………………… the money.
Correct!
Wrong!
12. He asked if ………………………… lend him some money.
Correct!
Wrong!
In reported questions, the auxiliary verb goes after the subject.
Answers
- The mother asked the boy why he was crying.
- He told me that I should wait for him.
- They told him to wait.
- She said that she was going to the party.
- He insisted that I should accompany him.
- I don’t know if / whether I will pass the test.
- The chairman said that they might have to postpone the meeting.
- I requested him to help me.
- Peter asked if I had seen his purse.
- She said that she was getting ready for the party.
- She exclaimed that she had lost the money.
- He asked if I could lend him some money.
