A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence…

Question

A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. He said that he would join the meeting after lunch.

1. A. I will join the meeting after lunch, he said. (Correct answer)
2. B. I would join the meeting after lunch, he said.
3. C. I shall join the meeting after lunch, he said.
4. D. I can join the meeting after lunch, he said.

Correct Answer

Option A — I will join the meeting after lunch, he said.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is I will join the meeting after lunch, he said..

Key Points

• In indirect speech 'would' is the back-shifted form of 'will'.
• Converting back to direct speech restores 'will': 'I will join the meeting after lunch,' he said.
• 'Shall' and 'can' change the modal meaning, and 'would' would leave it still in reported form; only 'will' correctly undoes the backshift while keeping the future sense.