"Call the first witness" said the judge. Convert to reported speech:
2016
"Call the first witness" said the judge. Convert to reported speech:
- A.
The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
- B.
The judge asked them to call witness first.
- C.
The judge told them to call first the witness.
- D.
The judge asked them to invite the first witness.
Attempted by 3 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The correct option is A: The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
Detailed Explanation
Grammatical Rule: When converting imperative sentences (commands or requests) into reported speech, the reporting verb ("said") is changed to a verb reflecting the tone of the command (e.g., "commanded," "ordered," "requested"). The imperative verb in the direct speech is then changed into an infinitive (to + verb).
Application: A judge in a courtroom context is an authority figure, making "commanded" or "ordered" an appropriate reporting verb. "Call" becomes the infinitive "to call."