Question

Convert the sentence given below to indirect speech.

They said,"We won't be able to help you in this matter".

• A. They said that they won't be able to help them in that matter.
• B. They said that they wouldn't be able to help them in that matter.
• C. They said that they can't be able to help them in that matter.
• D. They said that they are not able to help them in that matter.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

They said that they wouldn't be able to help them in that matter.

Indirect Speech is used to report something in our own words.

To change future tense in indirect speech, remove inverted commas and use 'that' as a conjunction.

Both shall and will normally become would. 'This' is changed to 'that'

Thus, option B is the correct answer according to the rules.