Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Direct/indirect

Question:

Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.

 

My sister said to her friend, ‘'Can you lend me an umbrella?'’

Options:

My sister asked her friend if she can lend her an umbrella.

My sister asked her friend if she could lend her an umbrella.

My sister asked her friend if she could have lend her an umbrella.

My sister asks her friend if she can give her an umbrella.

Correct Answer:

My sister asked her friend if she could lend her an umbrella.

Explanation:

The correct indirect form of the given sentence is:

My sister asked her friend if she could lend her an umbrella.

The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:

  • My sister asked her friend if she can lend her an umbrella. The modal verb "can" should be in the past tense, "could".
  • My sister asked her friend if she could have lend her an umbrella. The verb "have" is unnecessary in indirect speech.
  • My sister asks her friend if she can give her an umbrella. The verb "lend" is more appropriate than "give" in this context.