In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: The watchman said, “Thief! Thief! Catch him!”

Introduction / Context:
This Direct/Indirect speech question asks you to convert an excited, imperative exclamation into a calm, reported form. The watchman is shouting to people nearby, asking them to act immediately. In indirect speech, we must preserve the command to catch the thief while changing the direct words into a reported structure with an infinitive.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct speech: “The watchman said, ‘Thief! Thief! Catch him!’”
• The watchman is addressing a group of people (the crowd) and giving them an urgent command.
• We need reported speech that captures the instruction to catch the thief.
• Standard reported imperatives use verbs like told, ordered or shouted + to + verb.

Concept / Approach:
In reported speech, an imperative sentence (a request, order or command) is usually reported using an infinitive structure: subject + reporting verb + object + to + base verb. Here, the watchman is shouting an order to catch the thief. Therefore, we can express this as “The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.” The repeated word “Thief! Thief!” provides urgency but does not need to be copied exactly in reported speech; instead, the main action command is summarised properly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the speaker: the watchman.Identify the addressee: the crowd (people around), though not stated directly in the original, it is implied.Recognise the sentence type: an imperative command “Catch him!” combined with exclamations “Thief! Thief!”Choose an appropriate reporting verb: shouted is suitable because the watchman is raising his voice in alarm.Form the reported structure: “The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Check that the reported sentence conveys the same essential meaning: someone (the watchman) loudly asked the people around him to catch a thief. The words “Thief! Thief!” are summarised by mentioning “catch the thief.” This is a natural and accepted way of reporting such an exclamation. The grammar is also correct: shouted to the crowd + to catch the thief fits the “reporting verb + to-infinitive” pattern for commands.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options (b), (c) and (d) mostly keep the direct words with only minor changes to punctuation, which means they are still very close to direct speech rather than proper reported speech. They do not use the to + verb structure and do not fully integrate the command into a single reported clause. Moreover, they sound awkward, as if the writer has simply inserted commas around the direct quotes instead of properly reporting them. Only option (a) transforms the speech into a smooth indirect form that would appear in formal writing or in exam keys.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners try to preserve every word from the direct speech, such as repeating “Thief! Thief!” inside the reported statement. However, reported speech usually summarises repeated exclamations and focuses on the main command or information. In imperative reporting, always think of patterns like: He shouted to them to run, She told me to wait, They ordered the soldiers to advance. Applying the same structure here leads naturally to “The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.”

Final Answer:
The correct Indirect speech form is: The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.