Question

"The doctor advises surgery," said my mother. This can be reported as:

• A. My mother said that the doctor advises surgery.
• B. My mother said that the doctor advising surgery.
• C. My mother said that the doctor have been advising surgery.
• D. My mother said that the doctor advised surgery.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. My mother said that the doctor advised surgery.

When converting direct speech into indirect (reported) speech, we typically follow these rules:

1. Reporting Verb: The reporting clause ("said my mother") is introduced. We use a reporting verb like "said" and often include the conjunction "that."

2. Tense Shift (Backshift): The verb in the quoted clause ("The doctor advises surgery") must be shifted back one step in time (backshift).

   • Direct Speech Tense: Simple Present (advises)

   • Reported Speech Tense: Simple Past (advised)

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
My mother said, "The doctor advises​ surgery."	My mother said that the doctor advised​ surgery.