Question

Convert in indirect speech:

Tom said to me,"Can you tell me the time?"

• A. Tom said to me can you tell me the time.
• B. Tom asked me can you tell me the time.
• C. Tom asked if he can tell him the time.
• D. Tom asked if I could tell him the time.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Tom asked if I could tell him the time.

The two ways of relating what a person has said are 1)direct and 2)indirect (reported).

In the direct speech, the exact words of the original speaker are repeated.

In the indirect speech (reported speech), the exact meaning of what the speaker told is expressed but not necessarily in the speaker’s exact words.

Option D is correct as the given sentence is in the simple present tense and the appropriate introductory verb 'asked ' is used.

Options A,B, and C are wrong as 'can', 'me' and 'he' cannot be used respectively.

The correct answer is DTom asked if I could tell him the time.