Question

Change into reported speech. The boy said, "I like sweets”.

• A. The boy says that he liked sweets.
• B. The boy said that he had liked sweets.
• C. The boy said that he liked sweets.
• D. The boy says that he has liked sweets.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The boy said that he liked sweets.

• The reporting verb “said” is in the past tense, so the verb in the reported clause usually shifts to the past.

• “I like sweets” → “he liked sweets” (present → past)

❌ Why others are incorrect:

• The boy says that he liked sweets. – “says” (present) doesn’t match the original “said”

• The boy said that he had liked sweets. – unnecessary past perfect

• The boy says that he has liked sweets. – wrong tense and reporting verb