Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The question presents a sentence with a grammatical error related to the use of ‘said’ in reported speech. Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, involves conveying what someone else said without using their exact words. Correcting such errors requires understanding the rules governing tense changes, pronoun adjustments, and the use of appropriate reporting verbs. This is a foundational skill in English language proficiency, crucial for effective communication and accurate writing, particularly in a competitive examination like the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The given sentence, "The teacher said me to submit the assignment the next day," contains a grammatical error. The correct sentence is: "The teacher told me to submit the assignment the next day."
Explanation of the Error and Correction
The error lies in the use of the verb "said" after "the teacher." When reporting a command or instruction, the verb "tell" is generally used instead of "say." "Say" is typically used for reporting statements or quotations, while "tell" is used when reporting what someone instructed or ordered.
Rules of Reported Speech – Commands and Requests
- Reporting Verb: When reporting commands or requests, use verbs like 'tell', 'order', 'command', 'request', 'ask', etc.
- Structure: The typical structure is: Reporting Verb + Person + to + Infinitive of the verb.
- Pronoun Change: The pronoun 'me' is correctly used as the object of the verb 'told'.
Example of 'Say' vs. 'Tell'
- Say: He said that he was tired. (Reporting a statement)
- Tell: She told me to be quiet. (Reporting a command)
Tense Change in Reported Speech (Relevant but not the primary error here)
While the tense change in this specific sentence isn't incorrect (present indefinite 'submit' remains unchanged due to 'to' infinitive), it's important to remember the general rules:
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple | Past Simple |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| Past Simple | Past Perfect |
In this case, the 'next day' correctly reflects the shift in time reference when converting to reported speech.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the original sentence was grammatically incorrect due to the inappropriate use of "said" instead of "told" when reporting a command. Understanding the nuances between "say" and "tell" in reported speech is crucial for accurate and effective English communication. This seemingly simple correction highlights the importance of precise language use, a skill highly valued in the UPSC examination and beyond.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.