Convert the following sentence into indirect speech: “She said: ‘Where are you going?’” - NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

English

Hard

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

This option correctly changes the reporting verb 'said' to 'asked' because the original sentence is a question.
It correctly uses the 'Wh-' word 'where' as the conjunction, connecting the two clauses without adding 'that' or 'if'.
The sentence structure is correctly changed from an interrogative (question) form ('are you') to an assertive (statement) form ('I was').
The tense is correctly shifted from Present Continuous ('are going') to Past Continuous ('was going') because the reporting verb ('said') is in the past.
The pronoun 'you' is appropriately changed to 'I' to reflect the change in speaker perspective.

Option A: This option is grammatically incorrect. It uses the wrong verb form ('was am') and maintains the interrogative word order ('was...I') instead of changing it to a statement.
Option B: This option is grammatically incorrect. The verb 'were' does not agree with the subject 'I'. It also uses an incorrect verb combination ('were...am') and mixes tenses.
Option D: This is identical to the first incorrect option and contains the same grammatical errors: an incorrect verb form ('was am') and the wrong word order for reported speech.

Visual 1: Flowchart: A visual flowchart illustrating the step-by-step process of converting a 'Wh-' question from direct to indirect speech. Steps would include: 1. Change Reporting Verb (said -> asked). 2. Use 'Wh-' word as conjunction. 3. Change Pronoun. 4. Shift Tense. 5. Invert Subject-Verb order.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Conversion of Direct to Indirect Speech for Interrogative Sentences as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a grammar question, strong communication skills are fundamental in nursing. Clear, accurate, and grammatically correct documentation and verbal reports are essential for patient safety and effective team collaboration.
Accurately reporting what a patient or colleague has said (e.g., in patient notes) requires an understanding of reported speech to avoid misinterpretation.
What if the reporting verb was in the present tense (e.g., 'She says')? If the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, the tense of the reported speech does not change. The sentence would be: 'She asks me where I am going.'.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the type of sentence in the quotation marks. Here, 'Where are you going?' is an interrogative sentence (a question) starting with a 'Wh-' word.
Change the reporting verb 'said' to 'asked' or 'inquired' to reflect that a question was asked.
Use the 'Wh-' word ('Where') to connect the reporting clause and the reported clause.
Change the sentence structure from a question to a statement. This means the subject ('you', which becomes 'I') must come before the verb ('are', which becomes 'was').
Check the tense of the reporting verb. Since 'said' is in the past tense, shift the tense of the reported speech to its corresponding past form (Present Continuous 'are going' becomes Past Continuous 'was going').
Finally, change the pronouns as needed ('you' becomes 'I'). Assemble the parts to form the final sentence and compare it with the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Conversion of Direct to Indirect Speech for Interrogative Sentences
Stem keywords: indirect speech, direct speech, convert sentence, She said: ‘Where are you going?’
Lead-in keywords: Convert

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