Choose the correct indirect transformation of the given sentence from the options below:
The teacher said to the students, “Complete the assignment before tomorrow”.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The teacher instructed the students to complete the assignment before the next day.
Reporting a command (imperative sentence):
| Change | Direct | Indirect | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting verb | said to | instructed | “Said to” becomes a verb that shows the force of the command, such as told, ordered, commanded or instructed, followed by the person addressed. A teacher giving a direction “instructed” the students. |
| Verb form | Complete | to complete | The imperative “complete” becomes to + base verb, “to complete”, with no “that” clause. |
| Words of nearness (time and place) | tomorrow | the next day | After a past reporting verb, “tomorrow” becomes the next day (or the following day). |
| Full sentence | The teacher said to the students, “Complete the assignment before tomorrow”. | The teacher instructed the students to complete the assignment before the next day. |
Example: He said to me, “Wait here.” → He told me to wait there.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The teacher told the students to complete the assignment before tomorrow. — Incorrect. "Told ... to complete" is right, but "tomorrow" has not been changed to "the next day".
Option 2: The teacher ordered the students that they should complete the assignment before tomorrow. — Incorrect.
- "Ordered" takes the person + to + verb, not a "that" clause.
- "Tomorrow" is unchanged.
Option 4: The teacher said the students must complete the assignment before the next day. — Incorrect. "Said ... must" turns the command into a statement of obligation. A command is reported with a verb such as told or instructed + to + verb.