Pick the correct Indirect Speech for the given sentence :
Rakesh said to Mahesh, "Go away".
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Rakesh ordered Mahesh to go away.
Imperative sentence in indirect speech:
Kind of sentence: "Go away" is an imperative, a command.
| Change | Direct | Indirect | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting verb | said to | ordered | “Said to” changes to a verb that suits a command: ordered (or told, commanded). |
| Joining word | Go | to go | The imperative verb becomes a to-infinitive: go becomes to go. The inverted commas go. |
| Full sentence | Rakesh said to Mahesh, “Go away”. | Rakesh ordered Mahesh to go away. |
Example: The teacher said to the boy, “Sit down.” → The teacher ordered the boy to sit down.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Rakesh asked Mahesh to go away. — Incorrect.
- "Asked" is used for a request.
- "Go away" is a blunt command with no "please", so "ordered" reports it better.
Option 3: Rakesh said Mahesh to go away. — Incorrect. "Said" cannot take a person as object followed by an infinitive. "Said Mahesh to go" is ungrammatical.
Option 4: Rakesh wanted Mahesh to go away. — Incorrect. It reports a wish, not the command that Rakesh actually gave.