Question

Choose the correct indirect speech for:
He said, "I will help you tomorrow."

• A. He said that he will help me tomorrow.
• B. He said that he would help me the next day.
• C. He told that he would help you the next day.
• D. He told me that he will help me tomorrow.

Hint:

• Key changes in indirect speech: pronouns, verb tenses (backshift), and adverbs of time/place.
• "Said to [object]" often becomes "told [object]". "Said" can be used without an object.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To convert direct speech to indirect speech, follow these steps:

1. Reporting Verb: The reporting verb "said" remains the same as no object follows.
2. Change of Pronouns: The pronoun changes according to the speaker and listener. "I" becomes "he", and "you" becomes "me".
3. Tense Backshift: The future tense "will help" changes to "would help" as per the rules of tense backshifting in reported speech.
4. Time Expression: "Tomorrow" is changed to "the next day" to reflect the change in timing.

Thus, the correct indirect speech is He said that he would help me the next day.