Question

A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. He said that he would join the meeting after lunch.

• A. "I will join the meeting after lunch," he said.
• B. "I would join the meeting after lunch," he said.
• C. "I shall join the meeting after lunch," he said.
• D. "I can join the meeting after lunch," he said.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. "I will join the meeting after lunch," he said.

When converting a sentence from Indirect Speech (Reported Speech) back to Direct Speech, you must reverse the grammatical "backshifting" that occurred: Modal Verb Reversal: In reported speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense (said), the modal verb will shifts to would. Therefore, when reverting to direct speech, would must change back to its original form, will. Pronoun Reversal: In the indirect sentence, the subject is he because someone else is reporting his words. In direct speech, we use the speaker's original words, so the pronoun shifts back to I. Tense & Meaning: The sentence expresses a future intention. Using "will" in the direct form correctly captures the certain future intent reported by "would."