Question

Select the correct option to complete the sentence in indirect speech:
Dr. Paul said to John, "You have a viral infection."
Dr. Paul informed John that he _________ a viral infection.

• A. Had
• B. Did has
• C. Had had
• D. Have

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Had

As the given sentence is in the simple present tense, we must convert it into simple past tense in the indirect speech.

Option B - 'Did has' is grammatically incorrect as 'did' is used in the past tense and 'has' is used in the present tense. We do not use two helping verbs in two different tenses in the same sentence. Thus option B is incorrect.

Option C - 'Had had' means - the first 'had' is to explain the sentence in the past tense and the second 'had' is used to explain 'possession'. It is used in the past perfect tense. As the sentence has to be in the simple past tense, we can't use 'had had' here. Thus option C is incorrect.

Option D - 'Have' is used in the simple present tense or present perfect tense. Thus option D is incorrect.

Option A - 'Had' is used to explain the sentence in the past tense. It is used to convert 'have' to 'had' in the indirect speech. Thus option A is the correct answer.

'Dr. Paul informed John that he had a viral infection.'