Direct to indirect (statement): Identify the correct direct-speech equivalent Indirect sentence given: I told him that he was not working hard. Select the option that accurately converts this to direct speech while preserving person and tense.
Verbal Ability
Change of Speech
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AI said to him, "You are not working hard."
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BI told to him, "You are not working hard."
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CI said, "You are not working hard."
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DI said to him, "He is not working hard."
Answer
Correct Answer: I said to him, "You are not working hard."
Explanation
Given data
- Indirect: "I told him that he was not working hard."
Concept/ApproachWhen converting to direct speech: (1) "told him" → "said to him"; (2) Backshift reversal: "he was" → "you are" (since the addressee is "him"); (3) Keep present continuous meaning in direct speech.
Option analysis(A) matches person ("you") and correct reporting verb pattern "said to". ✅(B) "told to him" is incorrect collocation.(C) Lacks the addressee.(D) Uses "He is", which does not address "him" directly.
Final AnswerI said to him, "You are not working hard."