In the following question on direct and indirect speech in English grammar, choose the option that correctly changes the sentence The coach said, "Do not move, boys." into indirect (reported) speech.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of how to change a sentence from direct speech to indirect or reported speech in English grammar. The original sentence contains an imperative command that the coach gives to the boys. In competitive exams, such questions are very common because they test your knowledge of reporting verbs, pronoun changes, removal of quotation marks and proper infinitive structures. You must recognise that the speaker is giving an order or request and then convert it properly into indirect speech.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct speech: The coach said, "Do not move, boys."
• The reporting verb is said, and the person speaking is the coach.
• The listeners are the boys, the group being addressed.
• We have to form a grammatically correct reported speech sentence.
• Options differ in the reporting verb used and the structure of the command.

Concept / Approach:
When changing an imperative sentence from direct to indirect speech, we usually change the reporting verb to a more suitable one such as ordered, told, requested or asked. For negative commands, we use not to plus the base form of the verb instead of the original do not plus verb. Quotation marks are removed, and comma after said disappears. Also, there is no need for to after told when there is an object; we say told the boys, not told to the boys in standard grammar. Therefore the correct indirect speech pattern here is: The coach asked the boys not to move.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the original sentence is a negative command: Do not move, boys. Step 2: Recognise that we should change said to a reporting verb suitable for commands. Asked is acceptable for a mild instruction to a group of boys. Step 3: Replace the negative imperative do not move with not to move when forming indirect speech. Step 4: Keep the object the boys after the reporting verb: asked the boys not to move. Step 5: Remove quotation marks and the comma, and do not add any unnecessary words.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare the resulting sentence with standard grammar rules. The coach asked the boys not to move follows the structure reporting verb plus object plus not to plus base verb. This is the normal pattern for reported negative commands. It keeps the meaning of the original sentence and uses natural sounding English. If you check standard grammar examples, you will see similar transformations. Therefore the option is fully correct and idiomatic.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• The coach told to the boys do not move: Incorrect because told should not be followed by to before the object and the command part still uses do not move instead of not to move.
• The coach said to the boys not to be moving: The structure not to be moving is awkward and suggests continuous action, which is not necessary here.
• The coach told to them, do not move boys: Again told to is wrong usage, and the direct speech part is not properly converted into indirect speech.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often retain the auxiliary do from the original imperative, writing something like not do move or still use do not move inside indirect speech. Another frequent mistake is adding to after told when there is already an object, because local usage sometimes allows told to, but standard written English for exams prefers told the boys or told them. Also, some learners forget to change said to a more suitable reporting verb such as asked or ordered when the sentence is clearly a command or request.

Final Answer:
The correct indirect speech form is The coach asked the boys not to move., which accurately reports the negative command in clear, grammatically correct English.