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

Question

A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four options given, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. The diplomat said that only after the ceasefire would negotiations begin.

1. A. “Negotiations begin only after the ceasefire,” said the diplomat.
2. B. “Only after the ceasefire, negotiations would begin,” said the diplomat.
3. C. “Only after the ceasefire will negotiations begin,” said the diplomat. (Correct answer)
4. D. “Negotiations would begin once the ceasefire is announced,” said the diplomat.

Correct Answer

Option C — “Only after the ceasefire will negotiations begin,” said the diplomat.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is “Only after the ceasefire will negotiations begin,” said the diplomat..

Key Points

• Going from indirect to direct speech, 'would' reverts to 'will', and the reported clause is placed inside quotation marks with the original word order.
• So the diplomat's actual words were: 'Only after the ceasefire will negotiations begin.' The inversion ('will negotiations begin', triggered by the fronted 'Only after…') must be preserved — options that keep 'would' or flatten the inversion are incorrect.