Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Direct/indirect

Question:

Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.

Shravan said that the prisoner had slept throughout the journey.

Options:

Shravan said, "The prisoner sleeps throughout the journey."

Shravan said, "The prisoner had been sleeping throughout the journey."

Shravan said, "The prisoner has slept throughout the journey."

Shravan said, "The prisoner had slept throughout the journey."

Correct Answer:

Shravan said, "The prisoner had slept throughout the journey."

Explanation:

The correct direct form of the given sentence is:

Shravan said, "The prisoner had slept throughout the journey."

This is because direct speech is the exact words that someone spoke. In the direct form, the subject and tense of the verb do not change.

The other options are incorrect because they change the direct form of the sentence in some way:

  • Shravan said, "The prisoner sleeps throughout the journey." - This sentence changes the past perfect tense to the present tense.
  • Shravan said, "The prisoner had been sleeping throughout the journey." - This sentence changes the past perfect tense to the past continuous tense.
  • Shravan said, "The prisoner has slept throughout the journey." - This sentence changes the past perfect tense to the present perfect tense.