Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Direct/indirect

Question:

Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.

I said to the postman, “Is there a letter for me?”

Options:

I asked the postman that is there a letter for me.

I asked the postman if there is a letter for me.

I asked the postman if there was a letter for me.

I asked the postman was there a letter for me.

Correct Answer:

I asked the postman if there was a letter for me.

Explanation:

The correct indirect form of the given sentence is:

I asked the postman if there was a letter for me.

The other options are incorrect:

  • I asked the postman that is there a letter for me. This is incorrect because we use the word "if" to introduce questions in indirect speech.
  • I asked the postman if there is a letter for me. This is incorrect because the reported speech is in the present tense, not the past tense.
  • I asked the postman was there a letter for me. This is incorrect because the verb "was" should be "was there".