Indirect

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hanuman_2000

#76703 Sat, 26 Feb 05 06:00 AM

Sir,

”Sit down, boys,” said the teacher. (Order)

I have to convert it into indirect speech

1.The teacher ordered the boys to sit down.

2.The teacher ordered boys to sit down.

Which one is correct?

Thanks.

hanuman_2000

Joined on Thu, Aug 12 2004

INDIA

Contributing Member (1,611)

CalifJim

#76705 Sat, 26 Feb 05 06:08 AM

Both are correct. It's certainly true that the teacher ordered boys to sit down (Sentence 2). Nevertheless, the standard answer is that the teacher ordered the boys to sit down. (Sentence 1.) In other words, from the situation, we can safely assume that those particular boys in the class were ordered to sit down. There is little risk in this situation that if we say "... ordered the boys to sit down", someone will be confused and have to ask "Which boys?". Therefore, we choose "the boys".

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,931)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche