In Expressions^x, Direct speech^x, Indirect speech^x

GENRES There are two categories within the world of texts: fiction (invented) and non-fiction (non-invented). The down-categories - e.g. epic, lyric poetry and drama - are called genres. The concept "genre" descends from the Greek word "genos" that means family or kind. A...

Hi my Dear friend, This is Pavan Kumar would is used to say about determination like " i would finish this work " and another usage is the that is to express past habitual actions "i would go on foot to school when i was studying 8th standard" like that. and could is used to...

Hello. Sorry to hear you're feeling uncomfortable with this type of activity. But you're not alone: I would be, too! The sentences lack context, which makes it difficult to tell when tense changes are necessary and when they are not (among other things). There is one sentence that is...

The exercise sentence is in reported speech, also called 'indirect speech/question'. Therefore, the correct answer is B: 'My mother asked what the matter was with me'. The direct question could have been: 'What is the matter with you?'. Your last example is fine.

What is the matter? This asks for the subject I reject this premiss. It doesn't ask for the subject. And (surprise, surprise!) it doesn't really ask for the complement either. It's an idiomatic expression that says "Talk to me about what is bothering you" or "Tell me the problem". The...

It depends on the context. "Ago" means back in time from *now*, from the moment of speaking. If you say "I went to Europe two years ago", you mean "in 2002", two years back from *now*. In that sentence, "back" (more informal) can also be used if it will be clear to the listener/reader that...