In the following question, a sentence has been given in Indirect Speech. Choose the correct Direct Speech form.
The analyst stated that inflation could have been controlled if monetary policies had been revised earlier.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Conversion from indirect to direct speech:
Tense of the Conditional: The original indirect speech uses a Third Conditional structure (could have been controlled... if... had been revised). This structure refers to an unreal past situation and its hypothetical outcome.
Backshifting Rules: In reported speech, the third conditional (past perfect modal + past perfect) typically remains unchanged because there is no "further back" tense to move into.
Reporting Verb: The reporting verb "stated" is followed by a comma and the exact words spoken enclosed in quotation marks.
Punctuation: The first word of the direct speech is capitalized, and the sentence ends with a period inside the closing quotation marks.
Direct speech: The analyst stated, "Inflation could have been controlled if monetary policies had been revised earlier.