Choose the option that best represents the same sentence with the form of…
2025
Choose the option that best represents the same sentence with the form of speech changed:
Nita ordered her servant to bring her a cup of tea.
- A.
Nita said to her servant, "Bring me a cup of tea."
- B.
Nita said her servant, "Bring me a cup of tea."
- C.
Nita said to her servant, "Please bring me a cup of tea."
- D.
Nita says her servant, "Bring me a cup of tea."
Attempted by 18 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation:
To change the indirect sentence into direct speech, keep the imperative command and add a reporting clause in the past tense. The correct direct speech is: Nita said to her servant, "Bring me a cup of tea." Use a comma before the quotation, quotation marks around the command, and the reporting verb 'said to' to show who was addressed.
The version that omits 'to' after 'said' is ungrammatical; you should say 'said to her servant'.
Adding 'Please' changes the force of the sentence from an order to a polite request, which does not match the original meaning.
Using present tense 'says' does not match the original past tense 'ordered'; use 'said' to keep the time reference consistent.