Question

"Call the witness" said the judge. Change into indirect speech :

• A. The judge ordered them to call the witness
• B. The judge ordered them to called the witness
• C. The witness was called by the judge
• D. The judge ordered to present the witness

Answer 1

Answer:

A. The judge ordered them to call the witness

When converting direct speech to indirect speech (also called reported speech), we need to follow certain rules:

Rules for Converting Direct to Indirect Speech:

1. Remove quotation marks and connect with appropriate conjunctions

2. Change the reporting verb based on the sentence type:

   • Statements: said → said that

   • Commands/Orders: said → ordered/commanded/told

   • Requests: said → requested/asked

   • Questions: said → asked/enquired

3. Change pronouns according to the subject

4. Backshift tenses when necessary

5. Change time and place references if needed

Analysis of the given sentence:

Direct Speech: "Call the witness" said the judge.

This is an imperative sentence (command/order) in direct speech.

Conversion Process:

• The judge is giving an order/command

• "said" changes to "ordered"

• Since the command is given to someone (implied "you"), we use "them"

• "Call" remains in infinitive form after "ordered" → "to call"

• Remove quotation marks

Correct Indirect Speech: The judge ordered them to call the witness.

Why other options are incorrect:

• Option B - "called" is grammatically incorrect; should be "to call"

• Option C - This changes it to passive voice, which is a different structure

• Option D - "to present" changes the meaning from "call" to "present"