In the following questions , a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect .…
2025
In the following questions , a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect . Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/ Direct .
He said, "Vineet, Why are you sounding so depressed today"?
- A.
He asked Vineet why did he sound so depressed that day.
- B.
He asked Vineet why he was sounding so depressed that day.
- C.
He told Vineet why he sounded so depressed today.
- D.
He asked Vineet that why was he sounding so depressed that day.
Attempted by 25 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Key rules for converting this WH-question to reported speech:
Keep the WH-word (why) and do not introduce if/whether.
Use statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order (do/does/did + subject).
Backshift the tense when the reporting verb is in the past: present continuous → past continuous.
Change time expressions and pronouns appropriately (today → that day; you → he).
Step-by-step conversion for the given sentence:
Direct speech (remove vocative punctuation): "Why are you sounding so depressed today?"
Backshift the tense: 'are sounding' → 'was sounding'.
Change the pronoun: 'you' → 'he' (referring to Vineet).
Change the time expression: 'today' → 'that day'.
Use the reporting verb for questions: 'said' → 'asked', and use statement word order after the WH-word.
Final reported sentence: He asked Vineet why he was sounding so depressed that day.