Convert the following direct speech sentence into indirect speech by selecting the correct option.
The Principal said, "Students must submit their projects by Friday."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: The Principal said that students had to submit their projects by Friday.
Explanation
• Reporting Verb: The reporting verb said is in the past tense, which means the tense of the reported speech must shift accordingly.
• Modal Change: When must expresses an obligation or compulsion, it changes to had to in indirect speech.
• Conjunction: The inverted commas are replaced by the conjunction that.
Quick Tip: In reported speech with a past reporting verb, must (present obligation) changes to had to.