No Change in Universal Truth


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

No Change in Universal Truth

No Change in Universal Truth: Sometimes the tense does not change for example when you are stating a fact.

  • "Penguins cannot fly," he explained .(Direct Speech)
  • He explained that penguins cannot fly. (Indirect Speech)
  • Jane said, "It was Paul's fault." (Direct Speech)
  • Jane said it was Paul's fault. (Indirect Speech)
  • Universal Truth : - If the reported speech contains universal truth proverb, mathematical fact, historical fact, habitual act, an expression of morality or an unchanged fact, then the tense of the reported speech remains unchanged.

    Look at the following sentences :

    (a)  The teacher said, " The sun sets in the west."   (universal truth)                                             Direct

             The teacher said that the sun sets in the west.                                                                 Indirect

    (b)   He said, "India became republic on 26th January, 1950". (historical fact)                                Direct

            He said that India became Republic on 26th January, 1950.                                                  Indirect

    (c)   She said to me, "Honesty is the best policy".  (expression of morality)                                   Direct

            She told me that honesty is the best policy.                                                                         Indirect

    (d)  Gopal said, "Two and two is four."   (mathematical fact)                                                            Direct

            Gopal said that two and two is four.                                                                                      Indirect

    (e)   He said, "London is the capital of UK."  (unchanged fact)                                                        Direct

           He said that London is the capital of UK.                                                                               Indirect

    (f)   She said to me, "I go for a walk daily."  (habitual act)                                                                Direct

          She told me that she goes for walk daily.                                                                                 Indirect

    (g)   The saint said, "Man proposes and God disposes."  (proverb)                                                    Direct

            The saint said that man proposes and God disposes.                                                              Indirect

    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    Change the following sentence into Indirect speech .

    The teacher said to us, “Man is mortal.”

    Right Option : C
    View Explanation
    Explanation
    Question : 2

    Change the following sentence into direct speech .

    1. His wife told him that a bad workman always blames his tools.

    2. The man said that a barking dog seldom bites.

    Right Option : B
    View Explanation
    Explanation
    Question : 3

    Change the following sentence into Indirect speech .

     They said, “Honesty is the best policy.”

    Right Option : C
    View Explanation
    Explanation
     
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