A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in Its corresponding direct speech.
The diplomat said that only after the ceasefire would negotiations begin.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 3 i.e. 'Only after the ceasefire will negotiations begin,' said the diplomat.
About the given sentence:
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Type of sentence: Assertive
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Tense: Future Indefinite (would)
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Given voice: Indirect speech
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Reporting Verb: Said
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Reported Clause: only after the ceasefire would negotiations begin
Structure for conversion:
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Direct: Subject + Reporting Verb, 'Reported Clause (Tense change back to original).'
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Indirect: Subject + Reporting Verb + that + Reported Clause (Tense shifted).
Changes required:
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Remove Conjunction: The word that is removed, and a comma followed by quotation marks is introduced.
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Tense Reversion: When converting from indirect to direct speech, if the reporting verb is in the past tense (said), we must shift the tense back. The auxiliary would (used in indirect speech to show a future-in-the-past) reverts to its original form, will.
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Word Order: In the direct speech version, the sentence maintains the specific emphasis: 'Only after the ceasefire will...'
Converted sentence: 'Only after the ceasefire will negotiations begin,' said the diplomat.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.