Select the option that best expresses the given sentence in the Indirect Speech : -
The Principal said to the student, "If you don't behave properly in the class, I will suspend you."
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The Principal warned the student that he would suspend him if he didn't behave properly in the class.
Statement (a warning) in indirect speech:
| Change | Direct | Indirect | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting verb | said to | warned | The words are a threat of punishment, so “said to” becomes warned. |
| Joining word | “ ” (inverted commas) | that | The joining word is that. |
| Tense change | will, don't | would, didn't | The reporting verb is in the past: will becomes would, and don't becomes didn't. |
| Pronoun change | I, you | he, him / he | “I” (the Principal) becomes he. “You” (the student) becomes him / he. |
| Full sentence | The Principal said to the student, “If you don't behave properly in the class, I will suspend you.” | The Principal warned the student that he would suspend him if he didn't behave properly in the class. |
"In the class" stays.
The if-clause stays as a condition.
Example: Mother said to me, “If you touch the stove, you will burn yourself.” → Mother warned me that I would burn myself if I touched the stove.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The Principal requested the student to behave properly in the class or else he will be suspended. — Incorrect.
- A threat is not a request.
- "Will" is not changed to would.
Option 3: The Principal told the student that he will suspend him because of his mis behaviour. — Incorrect.
- The condition "if he didn't behave" becomes a reason ("because of"), as if the student had already misbehaved.
- "Will" is not changed to would.
Option 4: The Principal advised the student to behave properly is the class. — Incorrect.
- It drops the threat of suspension altogether.
- "Is the class" is a mistake for "in the class".