Choose the correct option which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.
The teacher said, "Let the boy go home."
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The teacher said that the boy might be allowed to go home.
"Let" in indirect speech:
| Change | Direct | Indirect | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting verb | said, “ ” | said that | “Said” stays and the words are joined with that. |
| Verb | Let the boy go | the boy may be allowed to go | When let gives or asks for permission, it is reported with may be allowed (or should be allowed). |
| Tense change | may | might | After a past reporting verb (“said”), may changes to might. |
| Full sentence | The teacher said, “Let the boy go home.” | The teacher said that the boy might be allowed to go home. |
Example: He said, “Let me go.” → He said that he might be allowed to go.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The teacher said that the boy may be allowed to go home. — Incorrect. The past reporting verb "said" needs the past form might. "May" is left unchanged.
Option 3: The teacher said that the boy can be allowed to go home. — Incorrect. Can is not the modal used to report "let", and a present form does not follow the past reporting verb.
Option 4: The teacher said that the boy would be allowed to go home. — Incorrect. Would turns the request for permission into a prediction that he will be allowed.