Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech. I shall go to my teacher and say, "Madam, I have tried my level best, but couldn't succeed."
I shall go to my teacher and say that I have tried my level best, but couldn't succeed.
The rule that decides this: backshifting applies only when the reporting verb is in the past. Here the reporting verbs are shall go and say, which look forward in time, so the tense of the reported words is left untouched.
What does change is the form only: the quotation marks are removed, the conjunction that is introduced, and the vocative Madam is dropped, since a form of address belongs only to direct speech.
That gives ‘I shall go to my teacher and say that I have tried my level best, but couldn't succeed.’
Why the others fail — each alters the reporting verb, which must never change:
‘I went to my teacher and said…’ — turns the whole sentence into the past, contradicting the original shall go.
‘I will be going to my teacher and say…’ — changes to the future continuous, which then no longer matches the second verb say.
‘I can go to my teacher and say…’ — replaces the future shall with the modal can, turning a statement of intention into one of ability.
Takeaway: check the reporting verb first. If it is present or future, no backshift occurs at all.
Similar Questions
Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.
The commander said to the soldiers, “Don’t think twice. Jump off the plane now.”
Directions: Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.
She exclaimed that I was wearing an exquisite ring.
Rewrite the sentence in Indirect Speech.
He said, 'My brother is writing letters.'
Rewrite the sentence in Indirect Speech.
Kumar said, ‘I was working.’
Rewrite the sentence in Indirect Speech.
You said, "I’m a doctor."
Rewrite the sentence in Indirect Speech.
They said, ‘We know our duty.’
Direction : 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.
The teacher told me that I was neglecting my duties
Change the following sentence to Direct Speech
The officer told his peon that he was not efficient.
Rewrite the sentence in Direct Speech.
You asked me what I was doing there.
Rewrite the sentence in Direct Speech.
She asked her father why she should excuse her enemy.
Important Questions from Direct and Indirect Speech
Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.
I asked my brother if he had visited his friend who was in the hospital.
Direction : Choose the option that is in the indirect form of the sentence.
He said to his boss, "I had completed my task before the end of the day."
Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.
The manager said to the staff, “Please work with dedication. You will be paid overtime whenever you work late.”
Identify the direction narration of the given sentence.
Rahul said, "What a pleasant surprise!"
Directions: Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.
The lion asked the lioness, "Where will you hide yourself, until I return?”
