Question

Convert the given sentence into Indirect Speech :
The Judge said , “ the defendant’s counsel may leave the courtroom now ”

• A. The judge said that the defendant’s counsel may leave the courtroom then
• B. The judge said that the defendant’s counsel may left the courtroom then
• C. The judge said that the defendant’s counsel might leave the courtroom then
• D. The judge said that the defendant’s counsel might left the courtroom then

Hint:

Always pair modal auxiliary verbs ('might', 'should', 'could', 'would') with the base form of the main verb (infinitive without 'to').
Expressions like 'might left' or 'could went' are grammatically incorrect.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question requires converting a direct speech statement by a judge into indirect speech.
The sentence contains a modal verb ('may') and an adverb of time ('now'), both of which must undergo standard transformations.

Step 2: Key Approach:
Apply rules for modal verbs ('may' to 'might'), infinitive verb requirements, and time adverbial shifts ('now' to 'then').
Keep the reporting verb in the past tense to conform to the narrative mode.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
We apply the following rules of direct-to-indirect conversion:

• Rule 1: Reporting Verb:
The reporting verb 'said' remains 'said' because there is no direct object specified (e.g., 'said to someone').
'That' is used as the joining conjunction.

• Rule 2: Modal Verb Change:
When the reporting verb is in the past tense ('said'), modal verbs inside the speech must change to their past forms.
'may' changes to 'might'.
This eliminates Options A and B, which retain 'may'.

• Rule 3: Verb Form after Modals:
Any verb following a modal verb (like 'might') must be in its base/infinitive form.
Therefore, we use 'leave', not the past tense 'left'.
This eliminates Option D, which incorrectly uses 'might left'.

• Rule 4: Adverb of Time Change:
The time indicator 'now' must be changed to 'then' in indirect speech to reflect the shift in time perspective.


Step 4: Final Answer:
By combining these correct changes, the sentence becomes: "The judge said that the defendant’s counsel might leave the courtroom then."