In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives choose the one which best expresses the sentence in Indirect/Direct Speech. I said, "She has been working in this office since 2000".
In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives choose the one which best expresses the sentence in Indirect/Direct Speech. I said, "She has been working in this office since 2000". Correct Answer I said that she had been working in that office since 2000
The correct answer is option 4), i.e. I said that she had been working in that office since 2000.
Explanation:
- The given is a declarative sentence. In the given sentence the reporting verb is in simple past tense. Therefore, the reported speech which is written in present perfect continuous tense, would undergo a backshift and change into past perfect continuous tense.
The construction of the sentence in indirect speech should be:
| I | said | that | she had been working in that office since 2000 |
| Subject | reporting verb | that | reported speech(Past perfect continuous tense) |
When a sentence is converted from direct speech into indirect speech:
- If the reporting verb is in 'Past tense', the reported speech would undergo a backshift of tense.
- Modal verbs (will, may, can) would take their past forms (would, might, could).
- Pronouns would change according to the subject of the reporting verb.
- "said to" will get converted to "told", "asked" , "commanded" , "requested" etc. depending on the tone of the narrator.
Example:
- Direct speech: Nayan said, "I like to eat ice cream."
- Indirect speech: Nayan said that she liked to eat ice cream.
মোঃ আরিফুল ইসলাম
Feb 20, 2025