Choose the option that is the most appropriate conversion of the following sentence into Direct Speech.
The professor admitted that he had never delivered a lecture on that particular topic in any of his classes.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: The professor said, "I’ve never delivered a lecture on this particular topic in any of my classes."
Explanation
• Tense conversion: The past perfect tense in indirect speech (had never delivered) changes to the present perfect tense (have never delivered / I've never delivered) in direct speech.
• Pronoun changes: The third-person pronouns he and his change to the first-person pronouns I and my as the professor refers to himself.
• Adjective/Adverb shift: The demonstrative that shifts back to this in direct speech.
Quick Tip: When converting indirect speech to direct speech, reverse the backshift: Past Perfect generally corresponds to Present Perfect or Simple Past.