Choose the correct transformation of the following sentence into indirect speech:
The lady said to the servant, “If you don't wash the clothes properly, I will dismiss you.”
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → The lady warned the servant that she would dismiss him if he didn't wash the clothes properly.
Statement with a threat in indirect speech:
| Change | Direct | Indirect | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting verb | said to | warned | The words are a threat, so “said to” becomes warned. |
| Joining word | “ ” (inverted commas) | that | That joins the reported statement. |
| Tense change | will dismiss, don't wash | would dismiss, didn't wash | The reporting verb is in the past, so “will dismiss” becomes would dismiss and “don't wash” becomes didn't wash. |
| Pronoun change | I, you | she, he / him | “I” (the lady) becomes she. “You” (the servant) becomes he / him. |
| Full sentence | The lady said to the servant, “If you don't wash the clothes properly, I will dismiss you.” | The lady warned the servant that she would dismiss him if he didn't wash the clothes properly. |
Example: He said to me, “If you lie again, I will punish you.” → He warned me that he would punish me if I lied again.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The lady cautioned the servant that he must wash the clothes properly. — Incorrect. It leaves out the threat of dismissal and the if-clause, so the meaning of the original is lost.
Option 2: The lady advised the servant to wash the clothes properly. — Incorrect. "Advised" turns a threat into friendly advice, and the dismissal is dropped.
Option 3: The lady told the servant she will dismiss him if he doesn't wash the clothes properly. — Incorrect. The tenses are not changed after the past reporting verb: "will dismiss" should be "would dismiss" and "doesn't wash" should be "didn't wash".