Functional English Grammar IX and X

THE SENTENCE 211 She has two brothers. She hates idlers. Who does not like sweet dishes ? Now the same groups of jumbled words have become meaningful sentences. ☞ Definition. A sentence is a group of words which conveys complete sense. SUBJECT AND PREDICATE 3. Every sentence is made up of two parts—(i) Subject and (ii) Predicate. (i) Subject is the word or words about which something is said. In the sentence ‘‘Indu is well-versed in the art of painting’’, the word Indu is the Subject. Please note that even a single word can also be a Subject. For example, the single word ‘Indu’ is the Subject in the sentence given above but we write. This, big, beautiful, black dog barks. In the sentence ‘This big beautiful black dog’ is a subject group. However, there is only a single word in this group about which we are really saying something. That word is dog, the other words tell only its qualities. We shall label ‘dog’ as subject word. Thus, the subject can be a group of words which comprises a subject word and other words that tell its qualities. Subject always responds, to the question (who, what or which). In the first sentence if we ask—Who is well versed in the art of painting ? The response will be ‘Indu’. Therefore, Indu is the subject. However, in the second sentence if we ask— Who barks ? The answer will be ‘This big, beautiful, black dog’. Therefore, the group of words ‘This big, beautiful, black dog will be called the subject in it. (ii) Predicate is the word or words which says or say something about the subject. In the sentence given above ‘‘is well-versed in the art of painting’’ is the Predicate. ☞ ‘Predicate’ is a Latin word. It means ‘to proclaim’. In simple language ‘a Predicate’ proclaims or says something about the subject. Read the following sentences : Subject Predicate The boys fly kites The horse runs fast We have won the hockey match Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India 4. The Subject of a sentence generally comes at the beginning. However, sometimes it may be put after the Predicate to make the sentence more emphatic. It can also be put in the middle (interior) or at the end of the sentence ; as— Sweet are the uses of adversity. Barefooted came the beggar-maid. After a long wait, he at last went home. Did he meet you last Sunday ? The italicized words ‘the uses of adversity’, ‘the beggar-maid’, ‘he’ and ‘he’ in the above sentences are subjects.

212 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 5. A sentence may consist of a single word ; as—Run, Speak. Here ‘Run’ means ‘‘you run’’ and ‘Speak’ means ‘‘you speak’’. In such sentences the Sub- ject ‘you’ is understood (implied). Points to Remember (a) All the sentences can be divided into parts, i.e., Subject and Predicate. (b) In order to locate the subject, ask yourself the questions given below : (i) Who/what is doing something ? Or (ii) What is being talked about and about whom ? You can also locate the word/words showing the verb/action, at first. Then you can ask the questions— Who + Verb ? Or What + Verb ? The answer will be subject(s), e.g., The girl sleeps. Who sleeps ? The girl Few students failed. Who failed ? Few students The English test was tough. What was tough ? Or Which test was tough ? The English test In the above sentences—‘The girl’, ‘Few students’ and ‘The English test’ are subjects. (c) Since we generally learn English through the medium of an Indian language, it is essential for us to learn that the pattern of English in the form of a language is S—V—O (Subject, verb and object). On the other hand, the pattern of Indian language is S— O—V (Subject, object and verb). (d) The predicate has sometimes a finite verb alone e.g. (i) She reads. (ii) The sun rises. (e) The predicate has sometimes a finite verb and an object ; as— (i) He bought oranges. (ii) She washes the clothes. (f) Some sentences begin with ‘There’. The real subject in them is the noun that comes after the verb ; as—there goes the bell. There are twelve months in a year. The italicised words in the above sentences are the subjects. (g) Some predicates have a finite verb and two objects. The thing is called the direct object and ‘the person’ is called indirect object, e.g. The teacher taught us (indirect object) grammar (direct object). Thus we see that a verb is the most important part in the predicate.

THE SENTENCE 213 EXERCISE 1 I. Pick out the Subject and the Predicate in the following sentences : 1. India wants peace in the world. 6. She has four uncles. 2. Birth and knowledge do not make one a 7. We are waiting for our mother. 8. The children like new clothes. Brahmin. 9. Is Sharda a good dancer ? 3. Happy is the contented man. 10. The stars are shining in the sky. 4. Never backbite others. 5. Did she not sing a sweet song ? II. Supply the subject in the following : 7. ......... was born on 2nd October, 1869. 1. ......... rises in the East. 8. ......... and Lakshmana went to the 2. ......... is a great wealth. 3. ......... became free on 15th August, 1947. forest. 4. ......... falls into the Bay of Bengal. 9. ......... multiplied by two is fourteen. 5. ......... worships the rising sun. 10. ......... is on the other side of the river. 6. ......... smells sweet. III. Supply the Predicate in the following : 1. The parents ......... . 6. A cat ......... . 2. Practice ......... . 7. The old man ......... . 3. Still waters ......... . 8. Some naughty girls ......... . 4. A broken chair ......... . 9. A strong energy ......... . 5. The clouds ......... . 10. My younger brother ......... . IV. Rearrange the following words so as to make sense : 1. There is a will a where way is there. 6. A sweet song Madhuri sang. 2. Of capital is Chandigarh Haryana the. 7. In the corner is nervous the fat boy. 3. Mother is for looking your you ? 8. Your father was why scolding you ? 4. Pays the run honesty in long. 9. At a straw catches a drowning man. 5. Of this is drink water the well not good to. 10. A fine dancer is blue eyed that girl. FORMS OF SENTENCES 6. There are five kinds of Sentences. They are : (a) Declarative or Assertive (b) Interrogative (c) Imperative (d) Exclamatory (e) Optative (a) A Declarative or an Assertive Sentence (Subject +verb + object + ......) makes only a statement or an assertion and ends with ‘a full stop’. It may be affirmative or Negative ; as— There are trees on either side of the road. (Affirmative or yes-statement) She does not learn her lesson. (Negative or no-statement) (b) An Interrogative Sentence asks a question ; as— (Helping Verb/wh-word + Subject + finite verb + object (not necessary)

214 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR Will you help me ? Have you seen my brother ? Where is she going ? May I go out, Sir ? In the first sentence ‘will’ is the helping verb and ‘you’ is the Subject. ‘Help’ is the Finite (main) verb. Similar is the case in other sentences also. Note. An Interrogative sentence ends with a mark of interrogation (?) (c) An Imperative Sentence expresses some command, request, advice or invitation. (Ist form of the verb / do not / Always / Never / Please + Ist form + ......) Show me your homework. (Order) Always speak the truth. (Advice) Do not spit on the floor. (Prohibition) Have a cup of tea, please. (Invitation) Please lend me ten rupees. (Request) Never dupe others. (Advice) Note. In imperative Sentences, the Subject ‘‘you’’ is understood (remains hidden but is implied) Sometime, an imperative sentence consists of only one word e.g., Run ! Hurry ! Catch ! These words show some strong command and such an Imperative sentence ends with a sign of exclamation (!) (d) An Exclamatory Sentence expresses some strong and sudden feeling. The feeling can be of—joy, sorrow, wonder or surprise etc. An Exclamatory Sentence begins with an interjection e.g.—‘What’, ‘How’, ‘Alas’, ‘Hurrah’, ‘Oh’, God’ etc. In such sen- tences, the subject precedes the verb. Many times the subject and verb are lacking in the sentence, e.g., How wonderful ! Really marvellous ! Alas ! I am undone. (Sorrow) Hurrah ! We have won the match. (Joy) What a nasty fall ! (Surprise) How beautiful the flower is ! (Surprise/wonder) Note. The Mark of Exclamation (!) is put at the end of either the exclamatory word or the (exclamatory) sentence. (e) An Optative Sentence expresses a prayer, wish or desire ; as— May you all pass ! Long live the President ! Would that he were here ! Note. The Mark of Exclamation (!) is put at the end of Optative Sentences showing desire. ‘May’ can be used both in the interrogative and optative sentences. ‘May’ is used to seek permission in interrogative sentences. The sentence ends with a question mark (?). ‘May’ is also used in optative sentences to express wish or prayer. Such a sentence ends with a mark of exclamation (!) Examples : May I use your scooter ? (Interrogative sentence) May God bless you with a son ! (Optative sentence)

7 Reported Speech Syllabus : Commands and requests, Statements, Questions 1. There are two different ways in which we can report the words of a speaker : (a) Direct Speech or Direct Narration. (b) Indirect Speech or Indirect Narration. 2. (a) Direct Speech contains the actual words of the speaker ; as— Sarla said, “My father has a roaring business in Mumbai.” He said to me, “I am feeling unwell today.” She said to them, “Who teaches you English ?” You said to her, “Show me your frock.” In these sentences, actual words of the speaker are given within inverted commas with- out any change. (b) Indirect Speech gives the substance of the speaker’s actual words and not the exact words spoken by him or her ; as— Sarla said that her father had a roaring business in Mumbai. He told me that he was feeling unwell that day. She asked them who taught them English. You requested her to show you her frock. 3. The actual words of the speaker, given within ‘inverted commas’ are called the Reported Speech. In the same way, the Verb which introduces the Reported Speech is called the Reporting Verb. In the sentence above said is the Reporting Verb and ‘My father has a roaring business in Mumbai’ is the Reported Speech. Reporting Verb and Reported Speech. Look at the following sentences : Radha says, “I shall finish my homework today.” Sushma said to Pushpa, “Show me your dolls.” “Have you lost your purse ?” asked my mother. “I can’t give you a lift,” replied my neighbour. “May God bless you !” said my grandmother. ☞ The verbs ‘says, said, asked and replied’ in the above sentences are ‘Reporting Verbs’. The exact words of the speaker given within the inverted commas are ‘Reported Speech’. 4. Here are some distinctive points regarding the Direct Speech and Indirect Speech : (a) In the Direct Speech 1. The Reported Speech is put within Reported (Inverted) Commas. 2. The Reported Speech and the Reporting Verb are separated by a Comma. 3. The first word of the Reported Speech begins with a capital letter. 306

REPORTED SPEECH 307 4. In the Reported Speech we may use any Tense required by the sense and any kind of sentence. (b) In the Indirect Speech 1. Inverted Commas are removed. 2. The Comma separating the Reporting Verb from the Reported Speech is removed. 3. Reported Speech is introduced by a conjunction like—that, if, what, why etc. 4. Reporting Verb changes according to the sense. 5. The Tense of the Reporting Verb is never changed. 6. All kinds of sentences change into Assertive ones. 7. The mark of interrogation (?) and the mark of exclamation (!) at the end of the sen- tence are changed into full stops. TRANSFORMATION OF DIRECT SPEECH INTO INDIRECT SPEECH I. RULES FOR THE CHANGE OF TENSE Rule I. If the Reporting Verb is in the Present or Future Tense, the Tense of the Verb in the Reported Speech does not change. Examples 1. Direct : Rajesh says, “She has brought a fair name to her family.” Indirect : Rajesh says that she has brought a fair name to her family. 2. Direct : I say, “I spoiled all my books.” Indirect : I say that I spoiled all my books. 3. Direct : Rajni says “I am burning midnight oil.” Indirect : Rajni says that she is burning midnight oil. 4. Direct : Rohit has said, “I cannot displease my friend.” Indirect : Rohit has said that he cannot displease his friend. 5. Direct : I shall say, “I went to Agra on Monday.” Indirect : I shall say that I went to Agra on Monday. Rule II. If the Reporting Verb is in the Past Tense, the tense of the verb in the Re- ported Speech must be changed into the corresponding Past Tense. Examples 1. Direct : I said, “I am speaking the truth.” Indirect : I said that I was speaking the truth. 2. Direct : The teacher said, “Boys fail because they do not study regularly.” Indirect : The teacher said that boys failed because they did not study regularly. 3. Direct : We said, “They cannot cross the river unless the boatmen help them.” Indirect : We said that they could not cross the river unless the boatmen helped them. CHANGE OF VERBS 1. Present Indefinite Changes into Past Indefinite Tell or tells (1st form) told (2nd form) Do or does ″″ did ″″ 2. Present Continuous ″″ Past Continuous Is, am or are telling was or were telling ″″

308 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 3. Present Perfect ″″ Past Perfect Has or have told ″″ had told 4. Present Perfect ″″ Past Perfect Continuous Continuous Has or have been telling ″ ″ had been telling 5. Past Indefinite ″ ″ Past Perfect Told (did tell) ″″ had told 6. Past Continuous ″″ Past Perfect Continuous Was or were telling ″″ had been telling 7. Will ″″ would Shall ″″ should/would 8. May ″″ might Can ″″ could Must ″″ must/had to Has to, have to, had to ″″ had to 9. Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous Tenses remain unchanged. ☞ The future tense of the reported speech is changed as under : Future Indefinite—would/should Future Continuous—would/should be Future Perfect—would/should have Future Perfect Continuous—would/should have been Examples 1. Direct : You said, “He is a very good athlete.” Indirect : You said that he was a very good athlete. 2. Direct : I said, “I have finished my work.” Indirect : I said that I had finished my work. 3. Direct : He said, “Her parents will pay a visit to Delhi.” Indirect : He said that her parents would pay a visit to Delhi. 4. Direct : The doctor said, “If the patient does not take medicine, he will not recover.” Indirect : The doctor said that if the patient did not take medicine he would not recover. 5. Direct : The Headmaster said, “Those who did not work hard, failed.” Indirect : The Headmaster said that those who had not worked hard had failed. 6. Direct : I said, “It may take him a year to make up his deficiency.” Indirect : I said that it might take him a year to make up his deficiency. 7. Direct : You said, “They were busy the whole day.” Indirect : You said that they had been busy the whole day. 8. Direct : I said, “She was waiting for us at her uncle’s house.” Indirect : I said that she had been waiting for us at her uncle’s house. Exception to Rule II (i) If there is a Universal Truth or Habitual fact in the Reported Speech, the Tense of the verb is never changed ; as— 1. Direct : He said, “Face is the index of mind.” (Proverbial truth) Indirect : He said that face is the index of mind. (Geographical truth) 2. Direct : The teacher said, “The earth rotates round its axis.” Indirect : The teacher said that the earth rotates round its axis.

REPORTED SPEECH 309 3. Direct : Horatius said, “Death comes sooner or later.” (Universal truth) Indirect : Horatius said that death comes sooner or later. (Factual truth) (Habitual fact) 4. Direct : Her uncle said, “Two and two make four and not five.” Indirect : Her uncle said that two and two make four and not five. 5. Direct : I said, “I am an early bird.” Indirect : I said that I am an early bird. (ii) The Tense of the Verb in the Reported Speech does not change if the reported speech states a past historical fact ; as— Direct Indirect 1. He said, “India became free on 15th August, He said that India became free on 15th August, 1947.” 1947. She said that her father lived at Lahore for ten 2. She said, “Her father lived at Lahore for ten years. years.” The teacher said that Akbar defeated Hemu in the second battle of Panipat. 3. The teacher said, “Akbar defeated Hemu in the second battle of Panipat.” (iii) If two such actions are given in the Reported Speech which take place at the same time, the Past Indefinite or Continuous Tense does not change. Direct : He said, “Mohan was singing a song while Gopal was playing on a flute.” Indirect : He said that Mohan was singing a song while Gopal was playing on a flute. (iv) If the Reported Speech contains some Improbable or Hypothetical (imaginary) Con- dition, Past Indefinite Tense does not change ; as— Direct : He said to me, “If I were there, I would snub him.” Indirect : He told me that if he were there, he would snub him. Examples Direct Indirect 1. She said, “I am a top-class singer.” She said that she was a top-class singer. 2. We said, “He is writing a poem.” We said that he was writing a poem. 3. They said, “We played hockey yesterday.” They said that they had played hockey the previ- 4. The teacher said, “If the student does not ous day. The teacher said that if the student did not become become serious in studies, he will fail.” serious in studies, he would fail. 5. He said, “It may rain tonight.” He said that it might rain that night. 6. He said, “A devil ever remains a devil.” He said that a devil ever remains a devil. 7. The old man said, “Death and a customer keep The old man said that death and a customer keep no calendar. no calendar.” The maidservant said that she is always a loser. 8. The maidservant said, “I am always a loser.” The teacher said that Shah Jahan built the Taj 9. The teacher said, “Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal. The grandmother said that Rama killed Ravana Mahal.” with an arrow. 10. The grandmother said, “Rama killed Ravana My friend said that Majnu loved Laila deeply. She said that Rajni was washing her clothes while with an arrow.” Sarla was suckling her baby. 11. My friend said, “Majnu loved Laila deeply.” She told me that if she were awake, she would catch 12. She said, “Rajni was washing her clothes while the thief. The bride said that if her father were alive, she Sarla was suckling her baby.” would get (have got) many ornaments. 13. She said to me, “If I were awake, I would catch He said that the father was playing cards while the son was enjoying sound sleep. the thief.” 14. The bride said, “If my father were alive, I would get (have got) many ornaments.” 15. He said, “The father was playing cards while the son was enjoying sound sleep.”

310 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR EXERCISE 1 Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. I said, “Ashok may come back in the evening.” 2. My father said, “Honesty is the best policy.” 3. The teacher said, “The Sikhs defeated the English in the battle.” 4. You said, “They were solving sums of Arithmetic.” 5. She said, “Mother does not eat meat at all.” 6. I said, “She should help her sister at that time.” 7. You said, “They might have won the match.” 8. The mother said, “He could help his friend if he would.” 9. I said, “I waited for him in the morning.” 10. The student said, “Sham did not leave the school without permission.” Note. In statements, if the Reporting Verb has an Object after it, it generally changes into ‘told’. CHANGE OF TENSES AT A GLANCE (a) Present Indefinite Direct : He said, “Asha washes the clothes.” (Universal truth) Indirect : He said that Asha washed the clothes. (Habit) Direct : The teacher said, “The sun rises in the east.” Indirect : The teacher said that the sun rises in the east. Direct : He said, “I rise at 5 a.m. daily.” Indirect : He said that he rises at 5 a.m. daily. (b) Present Continuous Direct : He said to me, “My sister is reading a novel.” Indirect : He told me that his sister was reading a novel. (c) Present Perfect Direct : She said to me, “I have washed my clothes.” Indirect : She told me that she had washed her clothes. (d) Present Perfect Continuous Direct : I said to him, “Sita has been reading a novel since 2 p.m.” Indirect : I told him that Sita had been reading a novel since 2 p.m. (e) Past Indefinite Direct : He said to me, “I did not go to Delhi.” Indirect : He told me that he had not gone to Delhi. (f) Past Continuous Direct : I said to him, “She was singing a song.” Indirect : I told him that she had been singing a song. (g) Future Indefinite Direct : Mohan said to me, “I will do my homework.” Indirect : Mohan told me that he would do his homework. (h) Future Continuous Direct : He said to me, “She will be singing a song.” Indirect : He told me that she would be singing a song. (i) Future Perfect Direct : I said to her, “I shall have written letters.” Indirect : I told her that I would have written letters. (j) Future Perfect Continuous Direct : He said to me, “I shall have been digging the ground for half an hour.” Indirect : He told me that he would have been digging the ground for half an hour.

REPORTED SPEECH 311 II. RULES FOR THE CHANGE OF PRONOUNS Rule I. Pronouns of the First Person (I, my, me ; we, our, us) in the Reported Speech are changed into (according to) the persons of the Subject (noun or pronoun) of the Reporting Verb ; as— Table of Change of Pronouns of the First Person I My Me We Our Us I said I my me We said we our us You said you your you You said you your you He said he his him They said they their them She said she her her 1. Direct : I said to her, “I shall bring my camera with me.” Indirect : I told her that I should (would) bring my camera with me. 2. Direct : He said to me, “I haven’t got my glasses with me.” Indirect : He told me that he hadn’t got his glasses with him. 3. Direct : You said to him, “I did not give Sham my book.” Indirect : You told him that you had not given Sham your book. 4. Direct : She said to me, ‘Shashi insulted my brother in my presence.” Indirect : She told me that Shashi had insulted her brother in her presence. 5. Direct : They said, “We helped our neighbours as much as we could.” Indirect : They said that they had helped their neighbours as much as they could. Rule II. Pronouns of the Second Person (you, your, you) existing in the Reported Speech are changed into (according to) the persons of the Object (noun or pronoun) of the Reporting Verb ; as— 1. Direct : I said to him, “You have taken your turn.” Indirect : I told him that he had taken his turn. 2. Direct : He said to me, “You did not admit your mistake.” Indirect : He told me that I had not admitted my mistake. 3. Direct : You said to her, “I cannot take you at your word.” Indirect : You told her that you could not take her at her word. 4. Direct : I said to you, “Your chances of success are not bright.” Indirect : I told you that your chances of success were not bright. 5. Direct : We said to them, “You cannot get the posts you aspire for.” Indirect : We told them that they could not get the posts they aspired for. Table of Change of Pronouns of the Second Person You (subject) Your You (object) You said to me I my me He said to you you your you

312 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR I said to him he his him You said to her she her her He said to us we our us I said to them they their them Note. All Nouns are of the Third Person. Rule III. Pronouns of the Third Person in the reported speech undergo no change ; as— 1. Direct : I said, “He cannot contain himself for joy.” Indirect : I said that he could not contain himself for joy. 2. Direct : You said to me, “They will carry the day even against heavy odds.” Indirect : You told me that they would carry the day even against heavy odds. 3. Direct : She said to you, “He will surely drop a line in reply.” Indirect : She told you that he would surely drop a line in reply. Note. Students can remember these rules by remembering : 3 12 ↓ ↓↓ N SO i.e. 1. (1st person) according to S (subject) 2. (2nd person) according to O (object) 3. (3rd person) according to N (no change) III. CHANGE IN WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS Rule. Words indicating nearness are changed into those indicating distance. This into that These into those Here into there Hence into thence Now into then Today into that day Tonight into that night Tomorrow into the next day Yesterday into the day before Last night Or the previous day Thus into the previous night Or the night before into so

REPORTED SPEECH 313 Ago into before Just into then Day before yesterday into the day before the previous day Day after tomorrow into the day after the next day Examples Direct Indirect 1. I said to her, “I shall see you here tomorrow.” I told her that I should (would) see her there the 2. She said to him, “I bought these books next day. She told him that she had bought those books the yesterday.” previous day. 3. You said to them, “Now I shall tell you another You told them that then you would tell them an- other story. story.” He told me that he had seen my brother two years 4. He said to me, “I saw your brother two years before. I told you that I intended to start business the fol- ago.” lowing year. 5. I said to you, “I intend to start business next year.” Words showing nearness (e.g. ‘this’, ‘here’, ‘now’ etc.) in Direct Speech do not undergo any change when they refer to the objects present at the time of reporting, or to the place or time at which the speech is reported ; as— 1. Direct : She says, “I shall settle accounts just now.” Indirect : She says that she will settle accounts just now. 2. Direct : He said, “This is the house where my father lives.” Indirect : He said that this was (is) the house where his father lived (the house where he was standing). EXERCISE 2 Change the following sentences into Indirect form of Speech : 1. He said, “I am feeling out of sorts today.” 2. I said to him, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.” 3. You said to me, “I shall not appear in the examination this year.” 4. They said, “We shall not play the match tomorrow.” 5. He said, “This is the play that these people want to stage here tonight.” 6. She said to me, “I shall invite all of you to the feast next week.” 7. The Prime Minister said to the nightingale, “You are expected at the court today.” 8. I said to him, “Your brother abused me here yesterday.” 9. She said, “Father will have reached home by now.” 10. Ram said, “It rained in torrents last night.”

314 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR A. REPORTED STATEMENTS CONVERSION OF ASSERTIVE SENTENCES REPORTING STATEMENTS A FROM DIRECT SPEECH INTO INDIRECT SPEECH Rules : 1. The Reporting Verb generally changes into tell when an object is used after it. But in order to give clarity of meaning ‘answer’, reply, inform, remark’ etc., may also be used instead of say or tell. 2. If the Reporting Verb has no object, it does not change. 3. Reported Speech is introduced by the conjunction ‘that’. 4. All nouns in the vocative case in the Reported Speech become objects of the Reporting Verb. 5. The Comma and the Inverted Commas after the Reporting Verb are removed. Note. Never use preposition ‘to’ after ‘tell’ or ‘told’. Examples Direct Indirect 1. Jehanara said to Aurangzeb, “I shall suffer all Jehanara told Aurangzeb that she would suffer all that you mete out to our aged father.” that he meted out to their aged father. I said that I cared not a fig for him. 2. I said “I care not a fig for him.” The teacher told Prem that he would pass only if 3. “Prem”, said the teacher, “You will pass only he worked hard. The teacher told the class that that day it was clear, if you work hard.” but it would rain heavily the next day. 4. “Today it is clear,” said the teacher to the class, He told me that my speech was heart-touching. She told him that his sister was a naughty girl. “but it will rain heavily tomorrow.” The servant replied to the master that he had fin- 5. He said to me, “Your speech was heart- ished all his work. Bhim answered to the Yaksha that he had come touching.” there to drink water. 6. She said to him, “Your sister is a naughty girl.” The teacher informed the students that he would 7. The servant said to the master, “I have finished take them to Dehradun the next day. The Principal remarked that Mr. Ahuja’s work was all my work.” neither neat nor satisfactory. 8. Bhim said to the Yaksha, “I have come here to drink water.” 9. The teacher said to the students, “I shall take you to Dehradun tomorrow.” 10. The Principal said, “Mr. Ahuja’s work is neither neat nor satisfactory.” EXERCISE 3 Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. Once Lincoln said, “If elected I shall be thankful, if not it will be all the same.” 2. Gautama said to his disciples, “If others speak against me, or against my religion, or against the order, there is no reason why you should be angry.” 3. Socrates said, “This plain speaking of mine is the cause of my unpopularity.” 4. The old mother said to Pasteur, “If you can cure animals, you can cure my son.” 5. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Our quarrel is not with the British people ; we fight with their imperialism.” 6. The voice shouted, “Bhimsena, you may drink only after answering my questions.”

REPORTED SPEECH 315 7. “My son”, said the old man, “You have shown true wisdom. I am ready to hand over all my money to you.” 8. “Well son,” said the Devil to the Imp, “You have discovered a fine drink and you have quite made up for your mistake about the bread.” 9. I said to him, “I have lost the book I bought yesterday. I shall buy another tomorrow.” 10. When Mahadev went out early in the morning, he would say, “God is truth and the giver of everything.” B FROM INDIRECT SPEECH TO DIRECT SPEECH Rules : 1. Change Verb in the Past Tense in Indirect Speech into the corresponding Present Tense in the Direct Form according to the sense. 2. Put Direct Speech within Inverted Commas (“......”). 3. Separate the Reported Speech from the Reporting Verb by a Comma. 4. Change the Reporting Verb into a suitable form of ‘say’. 5. Change the Pronouns according to the sense. 6. Change words showing remoteness and distance by the corresponding words showing nearness. Examples 1. Indirect : I told her that she had not returned my book even that day. Direct : I said to her, “You have not returned my book even today.” 2. Indirect : Our teacher told us that blood is thicker than water. Direct : Our teacher said to us, “Blood is thicker than water.” 3. Indirect : My father informed you that he had told him to see you the next day on his behalf. Direct : My father said to you, “I have told him to see you tomorrow on my behalf.” 4. Indirect : I told my friend, Lal, that he was tired and that I would take him home. Direct : “Lal !” said I to my friend, “You are tired. I will take you home.” EXERCISE 4 Change the following sentences into Direct Speech : 1. Buddha said that he must go away the poorer because he had lost a friend. 2. The officer said that he was absolutely certain that he had seen him run into the cellar. 3. She told him that if he liked her book, she would give it to him. 4. The Hermit came to me in a smiling way. I told him that I had a very long walk, and that I was tired out. 5. The shopkeeper told the customer that the previous day he had sold him bananas five for a rupee, but that day he could not sell even three for a rupee. 6. All her maidens who were watching her said that she must weep or she would die. 7. The poor frightened lamb thought for a moment and then replied respectfully that the water was flowing from him to it. 8. The monkey told the cats that they knew he didn’t like things to be done by halves. He further said that since they had come to him, he must do full justice to them. 9. Ravana looked at Sita and told her that it was no use pining for her husband and that he would never come to her help. 10. He told them that his message to them was to be courageous. He further said that he had lived a long time and that he had seen history repeat itself again and again.

316 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR B. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES CONVERSION OF INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES A FROM DIRECT INTO INDIRECT Rules : 1. The Reporting Verb is changed, into ‘ask, enquire, inquire or demand’ etc. 2. No conjunction is used to introduce the Reported Speech if the question begins with (an interrogative) word ; such as—what, who, whose, which, when, where, why, how, whom etc. 3. If or whether is used to introduce the Reported Speech if the question is in Yes/No and begins with a helping verb—do, does, is, am, are, was, were, has, have, did, had, shall, will, can, could, should, would, may, might, must etc. 4. If the sense of ‘must’, ‘necessity’ or ‘compulsion’ is shown at the time of speaking, it will be changed into ‘had to’. If the same ‘necessity’ or ‘compulsion’ shows the future, it will be changed into ‘would have to’. It would remain unchanged if it shows ‘permanent ruling’ or ‘prohibition’. 5. Change the questions into statements. Put full stop in place of mark of interrogation (?). 6. Observe the rules while you change Tense of the Verb, pronouns and words showing nearness. 7. Interrogative sentences beginning with ‘shall’ are changed to indirect speech as under. Examples 1. Direct : Ram said, “Shall I ever cheat you ?” Indirect : Ram wondered if he would ever cheat me. (Here ‘shall’ shows ‘pure future’. Hence it is changed into ‘would’. 2. Direct : She said, “Shall I lend you my necklace ?” Indirect : She asked if she should lend me her necklace. (Here ‘shall’ is used in the sense of ‘do you want me to ...... ’. Hence it is changed into ‘should’. Note. 1. ‘That’ never introduces the Reported Speech in the Interrogative Sentences. 2. Enquire, inquire, and demand take ‘if’ before a Personal Object. Examples (a) Questions beginning with a Helping Verb Direct Indirect 1. He said to her, “Shall I accompany you to He asked her if he would (should) accompany her Agra ?” to Agra. She asked him if she had been absenting herself 2. She said to him, “Had I been absenting myself from school for a month. from school for a month ?” He asked us if she had been spinning since the previous day. 3. He said to us, “Has she been spinning since They asked you if they would be going on picnic yesterday ?” the next day. I asked her if she would have ironed her clothes. 4. They said to you, “Shall we be going on picnic tomorrow ?” 5. I said to her, “Will you have ironed your clothes ?”

REPORTED SPEECH 317 6. He said to her, “Had you displeased your He asked her if she had displeased her brother. brother ?” We asked them if we would have been revising our courses since January. 7. We said to them, “Shall we have been revising He asked you if she created a problem for you. our courses since January ?” She asked us if she was not writing a letter to us then. 8. He said to you, “Does she create a problem for He asked them if they had not been scolding their you ?” sons. 9. She said to us, “Am I not writing a letter to you now ?” 10. He said to them, “Were you not scolding your sons ?” (b) Sentences having ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ Direct Indirect 1. “Are there any more files ?” He asked. “Yes, He asked the peon if there were any more files. sir,” said the peon. The peon replied respectfully in affirmative. The teacher asked Lila if she had broken the win- 2. The teacher said to Lila, “Did you break the dow pane. Lila respectfully replied that she hadn’t. window pane ?” “No, sir,” said Lila, “I did not.” The astrologer asked the customer whether he would give him five rupees if he found his answers 3. “If you find my answers satisfactory, will you satisfactory. The customer replied in negative. give me five rupees ?” said the astrologer. “No,” replied the customer. 4. I said to him, “Do you want to go to I asked him if he wanted to go to Chandigarh and Chandigarh ?” He said, “No, sir.” he respectfully replied in negative. He asked me if Mohan still played and I respect- 5. He said to me, “Does Mohan still play ?” I said, fully replied in positive. “Yes, sir.” He asked her if Radha had invited her to dinner. I asked him if he had enjoyed the film. He re- 6. He said to her, “Has Radha invited you to spectfully replied in negative. dinner ?” Mohan asked Renu if she saw what he saw. She replied in affirmative. 7. I said to him, “Did you enjoy the film ?” He He asked if she did not like that and she replied said, “No, sir.” in affirmative She asked me if we would ever see each other 8. Mohan said, “Renu, do you see what I see ?” again but I replied that it would perhaps never Renu said, “Yes.” be. 9. He said, “Do you not like it ?” She said, “Yes.” 10. She said to me, “Shall we ever see each other again ?” I said, “Perhaps, never.” (c) Questions beginning with Interrogative Words Direct Indirect 1. He said to me, “Whom does she want to He asked me whom she wanted to contact. contact ?” They asked her whose house she was purchas- ing. 2. They said to her, “Whose house are you You asked him why he was making mischief. purchasing ?” They asked us how we had solved that sum. We asked them who had misguided them. 3. You said to him “Why are you making They asked him where he had been wandering mischief ?” since the previous day. 4. They said to us, “How have you solved this sum ?” 5. We said to them, “Who has misguided you ?” 6. They said to him, “Where have you been wandering since yesterday ?”

318 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 7. She said to me, “Why were you hiding today ?” She asked me why I had been hiding that day. 8. She said to us, “When will you see me again ?” She asked us when we would see her again. 9. He said to her, “What shall I be offering you He asked her what he would be offering her with tea. with tea ?” We asked them when we would have paid them a 10. We said to them, “When shall we have paid visit. you a visit ?” (d) Questions beginning with modal auxiliaries Direct Indirect 1. I said to him, “May Sunita come in to discuss I asked him if Sunita might come in to discuss with you something ?” with him something. The traveller asked me if I could tell him the way 2. The traveller said to me, “Can you tell me the to the nearest inn. way to the nearest inn ?” He asked me if he had to leave for Mumbai the next day. 3. He said to me, “Must I leave for Mumbai I asked her if she could give me her notes. tomorrow ?” I asked him if I had to go to him. She asked me if they had to read then. 4. I said to her, “Could you give me your notes ?” They asked if they should go then to cinema. 5. I said to him, “Need I go to him ?” I asked her if she could jump into the river. 6. She said to me, “Must we read now ?” He asked me if I dared go near the Principal. 7. They said, “Shall we go now to cinema ?” He asked the teacher if he might go to the library. 8. I said to her, “Can you jump into the river ?” 9. He said to me, “Dare you go near the Principal ?” 10. He said to the teacher, “May I go to the library ?” EXERCISE 5 I. Convert the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. He said to her, “Do you want to go home ?” 2. He said to you, “Where are you going ?” 3. I said to him, “What brings you here ?” 4. You said to us, “How do you solve this sum ?” 5. She said to me, “How are you getting on with your studies ?” 6. I said to my friend, “Have you been to England ?” 7. Sheela said to Sarla, “Why are you so happy today ?” 8. He said to his brother, “Are you going away for long ?” 9. Devesh said to me, “Has the bell gone ?” 10. We said to Monika, “Is your mother also going with you ?” 11. Chabili said to me, “Where do you live ?” 12. My sister said to me, “Who teaches you English ?” II. Convert the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. She said to me, “Who taught you English ?” 2. He said to his mother, “Why did you not wash my school dress ?” 3. The mother said to the child, “Did you have your breakfast ?” 4. Anil said to his sister, “How did you fare in the interview ?” 5. The policeman asked me, “Had the thief stolen your watch ?” 6. “Who put salt in my coffee ?” he asked. 7. The fat woman asked the doctor, “Could I lose five kilos in one week ?” 8. The policeman said, “Could I speak to the manager ?” 9. I asked him, “Had you enjoyed voting ?” 10. She said to me, “Where did you meet my son ?”

REPORTED SPEECH 319 11. You said to Mohan, “When could you lend me a hundred rupees ?” 12. Tom said, “Did you see what I saw, Mary ?” III. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. “Do you see what is going to happen to you through your foolish loyalty to your friend ?” said the king to Damon. 2. The poet said, “Will anybody tell me what she sings ?” 3. The aunt said, “Son, will you hesitate to say the honest thing because you fear a quarrel ?” 4. “Shall I bring them, sir ?” said the peon. “Yes,” he said and got absorbed in reading. 5. “Don’t I want the good of the people too ?” said Sita Ram to the officer. 6. “Did you go to Delhi yesterday, Rakesh ?” said Jai Tirath. “Yes,” said Rakesh. 7. “Have you done your home task, Lal ?” said the teacher. “No, sir,” replied Lal. 8. Shashi said, “Will you bring toys for me when you come back from Amritsar. “Yes,” replied Rajesh, “very gladly.” 9. “May I go home now, Sir ?” said the peon to the officer. “No,” replied the officer, “we shall leave together.” 10. “Did you deliver her my message, Rajan ?” said Raman. “No,” replied Rajan, “I am sorry.” B FROM INDIRECT INTO DIRECT Rules : 1. Change the Tense in Indirect Speech into its Corresponding Tense form according to the sense. 2. Put Direct Speech into inverted Commas (“......”). 3. Put a Comma between the Reporting Verb and the Reported Speech. 4. Use ‘said’ in place of asked/enquired of/demanded of etc. 5. Put the Interrogative words at the beginning of the Reported Speech. 6. Put the Interrogative sign at the end of the Reported Speech after you have changed it into statements. 7. Change the pronouns and words showing nearness according to the rule. 8. Remove ‘if’ or ‘whether’. Examples Indirect Direct 1. She asked me if I played. She said to me, “Do you play ?” 2. He asked us if she slept. He said to us, “Does she sleep ?” 3. You asked me if you were playing. You said to me, “Am I playing ?” 4. She enquired of me if he was going to school She said to me, “Is he going to school today ?” I said to you, “Has he failed ?” that day. He said to me, “Have you won the prize ?” 5. I enquired of you if he had failed. They said to him, “Can you solve the sum ?” 6. He asked me if I had won the prize. He said to me, “Who is your teacher ?” 7. They asked him if he could solve the sum. She said to us, “Whose book is this ?” 8. He asked me who my teacher was. You said to me, “Whom do you want to see ?” 9. She asked us whose book that was. 10. You asked me whom I wanted to see.

320 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR EXERCISE 6 I. Change the following sentences into Direct Speech : 1. I asked her what had brought her there. 2. Vikas asked Ankur what had been wrong with her. 3. The teacher asked him which game he had played at school. 4. He asked him if he had wished to become a teacher. 5. My mother asked if I had posted the letter the previous day. 6. She asked Sandhya how she had solved the sum. 7. He asked Mohan why he had been making a noise. 8. I asked Suresh if he had ever met the Prime Minister. 9. He asked Mohan if he had seen that picture before. 10. He asked me if I had won the prize. II. Convert the following sentences into Direct Speech : 1. He asked me if my friend had stood first. 2. She asked me if my brother had been teaching me English. 3. He asked me if the smuggler had been running away to Pakistan. 4. I asked her what had brought her there. 5. Vikas asked Ankur what had been wrong with her. 6. The teacher asked him which game he had played at school. 7. He asked him if he had wished to become a teacher. 8. My mother asked if I had posted the letter the previous day. 9. She asked Sandhya how she had solved the sum. 10. He asked Mohan why he had been making a noise. MIXED INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES Examples (a) 1. Direct : Auster said, “Who is not ready to die for his Motherland, my countrymen ? Will you follow me if I lead the way ?” Indirect : Auster urged his countrymen to follow him saying that he was sure everyone was ready to die for his motherland. 2. Direct : “Am I not your father ? Did I not bring you up ? Why do you insult me in this way ?” said he to his sons. Indirect : He enquired of his sons if he was not their father and if he had not brought them up. He further asked them why they insulted him in that way. (b) 1. Direct : “Boys,” said the teacher, “why don’t you attend to the lesson ? You will repent if you are not careful now.” Indirect : The teacher asked the boys why they didn’t attend to the lesson and warned them that they would repent if they were not careful then. 2. Direct : “Don’t I want the good of the people too ?” said Sita Ram to Professor Ramukshi. “Why am I making frantic efforts to have the college started ? A stitch in time saves nine.” Indirect : Sita Ram assured Professor Ramukshi that he also wanted the good of the people. That was why he was making frantic efforts to have the college started. He knew that a stitch in time saves nine. EXERCISE 7 Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech : 1. He said to the Inspector of Police, “Why do you cross-question me as if I were a thief or robber ? I am travelling on a business of my own and there is no need to question me.”

REPORTED SPEECH 321 2. I said to Mohan, “Can you come tomorrow ?’’ Mohan said, ‘‘No, tomorrow I shall not be here.” 3. “Father,” said the girl, “were you always good, when you were a boy ?” “I was generally good,” said the father, “at least, when I was asleep.” 4. “Have you any news from my family ?” asked the trader. “Yes,” replied the man. “Well ! How is my son ? I am very anxious about him,” said the trader. 5. The officer said to the merchant, “Where did you spend the night ? Were you alone ? Did you see the other merchant this morning ? Why did you leave the inn before dawn ?” 6. The teacher said to her, “Why are you late today ? Were you present yesterday ?” 7. The teacher said, “Are you not ashamed of what you did, Ashok ? Would you not mend your ways ? Should I report it to the Headmaster ?” 8. “What are you looking for ?” said the first citizen to Diogenes. “Have you lost something ?” said another. “Why do you carry a lighted lantern in broad daylight ?” cried the third. 9. “How are you getting along at school, my boy ?” said the father. “The teacher said,” replied the son, “if all the boys were as good as you, I shall soon have to close up the school.” 10. The farmer said to the stranger, “Who are you ? Where do you come from ? What do you want here ?” C. IMPERATIVE SENTENCES CONVERSION OF IMPERATIVE SENTENCES Rules : Change the Reporting Verb according to the sense as : 1. Request : request, beg, entreat, ask, appeal etc. 2. Advice : advise, forbid, urge, exhort etc. 3. Order : order, command, tell etc. 4. The Imperative word is changed into Infinitive one by putting ‘to’ before the verb. In the case of a Negative Imperative, drop the auxiliary ‘do’ and place ‘to’ after ‘not’. 5. No Conjunction is used to introduce the Reported Speech. 6. If the Conjunction ‘that’ is used, ‘should’ is placed before the infinitive. 7. Observe the rules for the change of Pronouns and words showing nearness. 8. Change the pronouns and words showing remoteness as per rules. A DIRECT TO INDIRECT Imperative Sentences—From Direct Speech into Indirect Speech. An Imperative Sentence is the sentence which expresses (bears) some request, advice, order or invitation ; as— “Prepare a cup of tea for me” (order) “Help me please” (request) “Don’t smoke” (advice), (prevention) “Have a cup of tea with me, please” (invitation) One of the specialities of an Imperative Sentence is that it begins with a Verb. It has no subject. The reason behind the absence of the subject is that its subject is the person you are talking to. In other words ‘You’ is always its subject. It is discourteous to say ‘you’ in English. “Stand up’’

322 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR It is a simple order. “Mohan, you stand up’’ It is an abusive sentence and shows anger or arrogance. Rules for Converting an Imperative sentence from Direct to Indirect speech : (1) We change the Reporting Verb—said into ordered. But we do this only when some big- officer or authority gives an order, as— The Commander said ⎯⎯→ The Commander ordered. But when the elderly people ask the younger ones to do something we change said into told, as— Father said to me ⎯⎯→ Father told me. But when the younger ones say something to the elderly ones we change said into asked. as— I said to father ⎯⎯→ I asked father. (2) Then we remove Comma or Inverted Commas (, “......”) and connect the reported speech with ‘to’ (infinitive with to), as— Direct : The teacher said to the boys, “Stand up on your benches.” Indirect : The teacher ordered the boys to stand up on their benches. Direct : Father said to me, “Go and wash your hands.” Indirect : Father told me to go and wash my hands. (3) If a request has been made, we change said into requested or begged and connect the reported speech with to. Direct : The beggar said to me, “Give me a rupee for a cup of tea, please.” Indirect : The beggar begged of me a rupee for a cup of tea. ‘Beg’ is followed by ‘of’ in case of a person and by ‘for’ in case of thing, as— He begged for money. Direct : He said to Mohan, “Help me, please.” Indirect : He requested Mohan to help him. In case there is an invitation, said is changed into invited. Direct : He said to me, “Have a cup of tea with me, please.” Indirect : He invited me to have a cup of tea with him. (4) In case there is an advice we change the reporting verb—said into advised. Direct : He said to me “Help your younger brother.” Indirect : He advised me to help my younger brother. (5) Remember that we connect the reported speech with not to in case the sentence is negative. Direct : The teacher said to the boys, “Don’t make a noise.” Indirect : The teacher ordered the boys not to make a noise. (6) Remember one thing more that in case there is some mode of address in reported speech as—my son, my daughter etc. used by the speaker for his own son or daughter, make it the object of the reporting verb as— Direct : The old man said to his child “My son, don’t make a noise.” Indirect : The old man told his son not to make a noise. (7) In case somebody addresses someone as my son or my daughter out of affection we shall connect it in the following manner. Direct : The beggar said to Mohan, “My son, give me a rupee for a cup of tea.” Indirect : Calling Mohan his son, the beggar begged of him a rupee for a cup of tea.

REPORTED SPEECH 323 Examples 1. ORDER 1. Direct : The Commander said, “My lads, pick up your guns and open fire at the enemy.” Indirect : The Commander ordered his lads (or soldiers) to pick up their guns and open fire at the enemy. 2. Direct : The teacher said to the boys, “Take out your books and read them silently.” Indirect : The teacher ordered the boys to take out their books and read them silently. 3. Direct : Mother said to Karuna, “Go to the kitchen, and prepare a cup of tea for me.” Indirect : Her mother told Karuna to go to the kitchen and prepare a cup of tea for her. 2. REQUESTS 1. Direct : My servant said to me, “Sir, let me go out for an hour to meet my friend who is ill.” Indirect : My servant requested me to let him (or to allow him to) go out for an hour to meet his friend who was ill. 2. Direct : The old woman said to Santvana, “My daughter, I am shivering with cold, give me some old sweater of yours.” Indirect : Calling Santvana, her daughter, the old woman said that she was shivering with cold, and begged of her for an old sweater of hers. [Keep in mind that in the above sentence, the first part is a statement. Therefore, we connected it with ‘that’. But the second part is a request. Therefore, we connected it with ‘begged of’.] 3. Direct : My neighbour said to me, “This box is very heavy, come please, and help me lift it up.” Indirect : My neighbour said that the (that) box was very heavy, and asked me to move and help him lift that up. (Here also, the sentences are of two types—we connected one part with ‘that’ and the other part with ‘to’.) 3. INVITATION 1. Direct : Mohan said to me, “Would you like to have a cup of tea with me ?” Indirect : Mohan warmly invited me to have a cup of tea with him. (Remember that the sentence above is an affectionate invitation. It is not a question. Therefore, we did not use ‘If’ or ‘Whether’.) 2. Direct : Suresh said to Dinesh “Well man, come and have a cup of coffee with me.” Indirect : Suresh invited Dinesh to have a cup of coffee with him. (Here, the sense of well and come is implied in invited.) 3. Direct : Mohan said to Sohan, “You are having your lunch with me today.” Indirect : Mohan invited Sohan to have his lunch with him that day. 4. ADVICE Whenever some advice is given, we change the reporting Verb—‘said’ into ‘advised’ and connect the reported speech with ‘to’ + infinitive (present form of the verb) 1. Direct : Prashant said to me, “You should not smoke so much.” Indirect : Prashant advised me not to smoke so (that) much. 2. Direct : Prashant said to Pradeep, “You are seriously ill ; you must consult some good physi- cian (doctor).” Indirect : Prashant told Pradeep that he was seriously ill, and advised him to consult some good physician (doctor). (Here the first sentence is a statement. Hence we connected it with ‘that’ and replaced the report- ing Verb—‘said’ with ‘told’. But the second sentence is a strong advice. Therefore we joined it with ‘and’. We replaced you must by ‘advised him to’.)

324 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 3. Direct : Mother said to Pramita, “Avoid meeting such bad girls.” Indirect : Mother advised Pramita to avoid meeting such bad girls. 4. Direct : Father said to me, “Never waste your time in idle gossips with your boon compan- ions.” Indirect : Father advised me not to waste my time in idle gossips with my boon companions. (boon companions are congenial and near companions or friends, who are fond of rivalry.) 5. Direct : Mother said to Pushplata, “Don’t wash your hands with the washing soap.” Indirect : Mother advised Pushplata not to wash her hands with the washing soap. (Sometimes we use the reporting verb ‘forbade’ to prevent the listener from doing something ; as—Mother forbade Pushplata to wash her hands with the washing soap.) EXERCISE 8 Change the following sentences into indirect narration : 1. The Captain said to the soldiers, “You will guard this bridge.” (Here you will is an order) 2. Mother said to Krishna, “Go to your father’s study and bring some magazine for me to read.” 3. Mohan said to Suresh “That dog is rabid. Don’t go near it.” 4. The old beggar said to Pran “Give me some money, please.” 5. The poor old man said to Naresh, “Help me cross this crowded street, please.” 6. Mohan said to me, “You should go for a morning walk daily.” 7. Mother said to Vinita, “You must attend your classes regularly.” 8. Mother said to Sohan, “Come, fellow, have coffee with me.” 9. Suresh said to Dinesh, “You should not read these dirty novels.” 10. My servant said to me, “Sir, give me one hundred rupees in advance against my next month’s pay’’. B INDIRECT SPEECH TO DIRECT SPEECH 1. Change the Reporting Verbs—requested, advised, invited, told, ordered etc., into ‘said’. 2. If the reporting verb has an object, put a Comma after the object. In case there is no object, put the comma after the reporting Verb. Then put inverted Commas or Commas. (Some scholars put double Commas “......” and others, use single Commas ‘......’.) Then change the pronoun of the reported speech and remove ‘to’ ; as— 1. Indirect : Father told me to go to market and bring a packet of cigarettes for him. Direct : Father said to me, “Go to market and bring a packet of cigarettes for me.” 2. Indirect : The teacher ordered the boys to take down all that he had written on the black- board. Direct : The teacher said to the boys, “Take down all that I have written on the blackboard..” 3. Indirect : The Captain commanded his soldiers to get ready to open fire at the enemy. Direct : The Captain said to his soldiers, “Get ready to open fire at the enemy.” 4. Indirect : The beggar begged of Mohan a rupee for a cup of tea. Direct : The beggar said to Mohan “Give me a rupee for a cup of tea, please.” 5. Indirect : Mohan advised me to play some game to keep myself physically fit.” Direct : Mohan said to me, “Play some game to keep yourself physically fit.” 6. Indirect : Pran cordially invited me to have a cup of tea with him. Direct : Pran said to me, “Would you like to have a cup of tea with me ?” 7. Indirect : Mother told Kalpna to go to the kitchen and prepare a cup of tea for her. Direct : Mother said to Kalpna, “Go to the kitchen, and prepare a cup of tea for me.” 8. Indirect : Suresh advised me to avoid moving in the company of such bad boys. Direct : Suresh said to me, “Avoid moving in the company of such bad boys’’.

REPORTED SPEECH 325 EXERCISE 9 (Indirect to Direct) (Order, advice, request and invitation) Change the following sentences into Indirect speech : 1. The old woman begged of Kavita for some woollen garment, for she was shivering with cold. 2. Mother told Geeta not to tamper with her sewing machine. 3. Dinesh told Suresh to do some light exercise every morning. 4. The captain ordered his soldiers to go and help the people in the flood stricken area. 5. That poor man requested Dinesh to give him some money to satisfy his hunger. 6. Kailash invited me to have my lunch with him in a restaurant. 7. Father told me not to read cheap and dirty novels. 8. The general ordered the soldiers to fall in a line and get ready for their daily drill. 9. Suresh advised Dinesh to go to Mumbai not by train but by air. 10. The servant begged of his master for three days’ leave to go and see his wife who was in hospital. D. SENTENCES WITH ‘LET’ A DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECH TRANSFORMING SENTENCES WITH ‘LET’ INTO INDIRECT NARRATION We use ‘Let’ in two ways. On one hand, ‘Let’ means ‘a type of order’. Father said to me, “Let the child play in the garden.” He said to the watchman, “Let the visitor come in.” Shalini said to her classmates, “Let me return home now.” We change such type of sentences like the Imperative sentence into indirect speech by adding ‘to’ after told or ordered. Father told me to let the child play in the garden. He ordered the watchman to let the visitor come in. Shalini requested her classmates to let her return home then. But sometimes we use ‘Let’ in the form of a proposal ; as— Mohan said, “Come, let us play cricket.” I said to my friends, “Let us go to the picture.” Rajni said to us, “Let us sit in the shade.” In sentences of such type we use proposed as reporting verb. Then we use ‘that’ as conjunction. In reported speech we use should + infinitive (First form of the verb without ‘to’) ; as— Mohan proposed that we should play cricket. (Here the sense of come is implied in proposed) I proposed to my friends that we should go to the pictures. Rajni proposed to us that we should sit in the shade. Examples 1. Direct : Mohan said to his friends, “It is a sweet sunny day, come let us play cricket.” Indirect : Mohan told his friends that it was a sweet sunny day, and proposed that they should play cricket. (Remember that, the first sentence in direct narration is a simple statement. Therefore, it was connected by told and that. But the second sentence contains ‘Let’. Therefore, we connected it with and,

326 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR then we used proposed and also used should. We wrote they should and not we should because Mohan had asked his friends and we were not among them.) 2. Direct : Harish said to me, “Let us see a movie today.” Indirect : Harish proposed to me that they should see a movie that day. 3. Direct : The teacher said to the peon, “Let the boys play in the ground.” Indirect : The teacher ordered the peon to let the boys play in the ground. 4. Direct : Mother said to me, “Let Sarita do her home task in your study.” Indirect : Mother told me to let Sarita do her home task in my study. Some examples of ‘let’ as an order 1. Direct : Father said, “Let no one enter my room and touch my books.” Indirect : Father said that no one was to enter his room and touch his books. Or, : Father ordered not to let anybody enter his room and touch his books. 2. Direct : Mother said to Karuna, “Let the servant do his washing and cleaning in the room.” Indirect : Mother told Karuna to let the servant do his washing and cleaning in the room. 3. Direct : Teacher said to Prakash, “Let Harish do what he is doing.” Indirect : The teacher told Prakash to allow Harish do what he was doing. Some examples of ‘let’ as a proposal 1. Direct : Kavita said to her friends, “Come, let us play marbles.” Indirect : Kavita invited her friends to play marbles. 2. Direct : Mohan said to his friends, “Let us play cricket on this sweet sunny day.” Indirect : Mohan proposed to his friends that they should play cricket on that sweet sunny day. 3. Direct : Harish said to Dinesh, “Let us go to market and buy some fruit.” Indirect : Harish proposed to Dinesh that they should go to market and buy some fruit. Some examples of ‘let’ as a condition or supposition 1. Direct : Rohit said, “Let it blow ever so hard, I shall visit your house.” Indirect : Rohit said that he would visit your house, however hard it might blow. 2. Direct : The Director said, “Let him flatter ever so hard, he cannot get the promotion.” Indirect : The Director said that he could not get the promotion however hard he might flat- ter. EXERCISE 10 Change the following into indirect narration : 1. Suresh said to Dinesh, “Let your younger brother do his home task peacefully in his room.” 2. Teacher said to the boy, “Let none of you make any noise in the classroom.” 3. Father said to me, “Don’t let the dog jump in the flower beds.” 4. Mother said to Kavita, “Let the water in the kettle boil.” 5. The Commander said to the soldiers, “Don’t let any enemy plane fly over these bunkers.” 6. Krishna said to Kavita, “Come, let us have a coffee each and some snacks in a restaurant.” 7. Suresh said very angrily, “Ravindra is a stupid fellow, let him go to hell !” 8. Pradeep said to us, “Dinesh is very much worried about money.” 9. The teacher said to the boys, “Let your bags lie on your desks, and go out and play in the ground.” 10. Snehlata said to Karuna, “We have nothing important to do, come let us see some good movie.” B FROM INDIRECT TO DIRECT SPEECH ‘Let’ as order : Father told me to let his wet clothes dry in the sun. 1. Indirect : Father said to me, “Let my wet clothes dry in the sun.” Direct :

REPORTED SPEECH 327 2. Indirect : Mother told Karuna to let the kittens play in the garden.” Direct : Mother said to Karuna, “Let the kittens play in the garden.” 3. Indirect : The Commander ordered the soldiers not to leave the bridge unguarded. Direct : The Commander said to the soldiers, “Don’t let the bridge be left unguarded.” ‘Let’ as a proposal : 1. Indirect : Mohan proposed to his friends that they should play cricket on that sweet sunny day. Direct : Mohan said to his friends, “Come, let us play cricket on this sweet sunny day.” 2. Indirect : Karuna proposed to her friends to play marbles in the room. Direct : Karuna said to her friends. “Come, let us play marbles in the room.” 3. Indirect : Harish suggested that we should all stop talking to Dinesh because he was a cheat. Direct : Harish said to us, “Let us all stop talking to Dinesh because he is a cheat.” EXERCISE 11 Transform the following into direct narration : 1. Father told me to let the kitten lie in his bed. 2. Mohan told his friends that that was a fine moonlit night and proposed that they should all stroll down to the sea beach. 3. Mohan told Karuna not to let the dog enter the kitchen. 4. Suresh told Dinesh that Mahesh was in hospital and proposed that they should go and see him in the hospital. 5. Kavita told Karuna that a fine movie was on in the cinema hall and proposed that they should both go and see it. 6. Father told mother not to let anyone enter the garden and walk on the grass in the lawn. 7. The teacher said to his students that the hall was really dirty and ordered that they should all go and clean up the hall. 8. She suggested to her friends that they should enjoy boating in the river. (Remember that sometimes we use suggested in place of proposed.) 9. He proposed to them that they should cast lots and decide the issue. 10. I said that he might work ever so hard, he could not win the scholarship. (We begin this type of sentence also with ‘Let him’.) PRACTICE TIME EXERCISE 12 Read the following dialogue and complete the report by choosing the correct options from the ones given below. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the dialogue and the report. 1. Manish : Where are you coming from ? Madhavi : I am coming from the meeting. Manish : What was it about ? Madhavi : It was about the formation of students union in our school. Manish asked Madhavi where she was coming from. Madhavi replied (a) ______ Manish wanted to know (b) ______ Madhavi told that (c) ______ (a) (i) she was coming from the meeting (ii) why she was coming from the meeting

328 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR (iii) that she was coming from the meeting (iv) that she had been coming from the meeting. (b) (i) what it had been (ii) what it was about (c) (iii) it had been about something (iv) it was about what. 2. Rajeev (i) it was about union issue (ii) it had been about the formation of students union in their school. (iii) that it was about the formation of students union in school. (iv) it was about the formation of students union in their school. : Where are you going ? Pradeep : I am going to the airport. Rajeev : Why are you going there ? Pradeep : My mother is to arrive from the U.S.A. at 7 : 30 a.m. Rajeev asked Pradeep (a) ______ Pradeep replied (b) ______ Rajeev further inquired (c) ______ Pradeep told him that his mother was to come from the U.S.A. at 7 : 30 a.m. (a) (i) where he going to ? (ii) were he had been going ? (iii) where he was going. (iv) where he is going ? (b) (i) that he was going to the airport (ii) he was going to the airport. (iii) he had been going to the airport (iv) he is going to the airport. (c) (i) why he had been going there ? (ii) why he was going there. (iii) why he is going there ? (iv) why is he going there ? 3. Teacher : Why are you late Sam ? Sam : I missed the school bus. Teacher : You should have reached the bus stop on time. Sam : My mother is ill and was hospitalized yesterday. Teacher : Oh, I am sorry Sam. Don’t worry, she may get well soon. The teacher asked Sam why he was late. Sam replied that (a) ______ . The teacher told him that (b) ______ . Sam said that his mother was ill and (c) ______ . (a) (i) he has missed the school bus. (ii) he had missed the school bus. (iii) he would have missed the school bus. (iv) he did miss the school bus. (b) (i) he should have reached the bus stop on time (ii) he could have reach the bus stop on time (iii) he can reach the bus stop on time (iv) he would have reached the bus stop on time. (c) (i) she has been hospitalized the other day (ii) she had been hospitalized the previous day (iii) she has been hospitalized the previous day (iv) she was hospitalized the previous day. 4. Sanju : I’ve lost my lucky bat with which I made all my runs. Tomorrow we are playing at Delhi School. Father : If confident, you can still make all the runs.

REPORTED SPEECH 329 Sanju told his father that (a) ______ with which he had made all the runs. He was all the more upset because (b) ______ . His father assured him that (c) ______ . (a) (i) he had lost his lucky bat (ii) he has lost his lucky bat (iii) he lost his bat (iv) he lost his lucky bat. (b) (i) next day they were playing at Delhi school (ii) next day they had to play at Delhi school (iii) next day they were to play at Delhi school (iv) next day they will be playing at Delhi school. (c) (i) if confident, he can still make all the runs (ii) if confident, he could still make all the runs (iii) with confidence he could still make all the runs (iv) Be confident, he could still make all the runs. 5. Ravi : The world will end tomorrow. Shankar : Who told you this ? Ravi : I have heard your father say so. Ravi said that (a) ______ Shankar asked him (b) ______ Then Ravi replied that (c) ______ (ii) the world will end the next day. (iv) the world can end the next day. (a) (i) the world would end the next day. (ii) who had told him that ? (iii) the world may end the next day. (iv) who said that ? (ii) he had heard his father say so (b) (i) who told him this ? (iv) he had heard his father said so. (iii) who was telling him that ? (c) (i) he heard his father say so (iii) his father said so 6. Kumar : Where are you going now ? Gulab : I am going to look after my grandfather. Kumar : What has happened to him ? Gulab : He has been suffering from high fever. Kumar asked Gulab (a) _________ Gulab replied that (b) ________ Kumar further asked him (c) ________ Gulab told him that he had been suffering from high fever. (a) (i) where he was going then. (ii) where he was going now (iii) where is he going then (iv) where was he going then (b) (i) he is going to look after his grandfather (ii) he was going to look after his grandfather (iii) he would be going to look after his grandfather (iv) he will be going to look after his grandfather (c) (i) what had happened to him (ii) what has happened to him (iii) what is happened to him (iv) what could happen to him 7. Teacher : Aishwarya why are you late today ? Aishwarya : Sir I missed my bus Teacher : Take care in future

330 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR The teacher asked Aishwarya (a) ______ Aishwarya replied respectfully (b) ______ The teacher advised (c) ______. (a) (i) why she is late that day (ii) why she was late that day (iii) why she would be late that day (iv) why she will be late that day (b) (i) that she missed my bus (ii) that she has missed her bus (iii) that she had missed her bus (iv) that she can miss her bus (c) (i) to took care in future (ii) her by being careful in future (iii) her by taking care in future (iv) her to take care in future EXERCISE 13 Read the dialogue given below and complete the passage that follows. Write the correct answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole passage. 1. Beggar : Please give me some money. Girl : I have no money to give. Beggar : Miss, come with me and earn the money. At the bus stand a beggar was begging. A beautiful girl came there. He requested the girl (a) _______ . The girl told him that (b) ______ . At this the beggar advised her (c) ______ and earn the money. 2. Teacher : Why have you not completed your homework ? Mohan : I have been suffering from fever for five days. Teacher : Why did you not take rest ? Mohan : Today, I am feeling well. The teacher asked Mohan why (a) ________ his homework. Mohan replied that (b) ______ for five days. The teacher again asked (c) __________. Mohan replied that he was feeling well that day. 3. Shubham : Why are you weeping ? Pakshaj : Someone has stolen my purse. Shubham : Where did you keep it ? Pakshaj : In the back pocket of my pant. Shubham asked Pakshaj (a) __________. Pakshaj replied that someone (b) _________ Shubham then enquired where he had kept the purse. Pakshaj replied that (c) ________ in the back pocket of his pant. 4. Husband : Did you talk to Dr. Batra ? Wife : Yes, but it is important for you to rest. Husband : What is it ? Wife : It is a tumour. Raghav was admitted in a hospital with a complaint of severe pain. He was resting. A few minutes later, he opened his eyes and asked his wife (a) ________ . She replied in positive and said that (b) __________. He again asked (c) ________. She replied that it was a tumour.

REPORTED SPEECH 331 EXERCISE 14 Read the following dialogue and then complete the report by choosing the correct option from the ones given below. Write your answers in your answer sheet with the correct blank number. Do not copy the dialogue and the report : 1. Monkey : Will you marry me ? She Monkey : Are you an NRI ? Monkey : Yes, I am. She Monkey : Give me your bio - data. Once a monkey asked a she monkey (a) ______. The she monkey enquired (b) ______. The monkey answered in affirmative. Then the she monkey told the monkey (c) ______. (a) (i) would she marry him (ii) if she would marry him (iii) will she marry him (iv) if she would marry me (b) (i) was he an NRI (ii) if he were an NRI (iii) if he was an NRI (iv) if you were an NRI (c) (i) to give her his bio - data (ii) to gave her his bio - data (iii) to give me your bio - data (iv) to give me his bio - data. 2. Lawyer : How did you kill the dog ? Criminal : Sir, I did not kill him. Lawyer : How did it die ? Criminal : I told him about his master and he died of heart attack. Lawyer asked the criminal how (a) ______. Criminal replied respectfully saying that (b) ______. The lawyer further asked him (c) ______ the criminal replied that he had told him about his master and he had died of heart attack (a) (i) he kills the dog. (ii) he killed the dog. (iii) he had killed the dog. (iv) had he killed the dog. (b) (i) he did not kill him. (ii) he had not killed him. (iii) he has not killed him. (iv) he does not kill him. (c) (i) how it dies. (ii) how it died. (iii) how it has died. (iv) how it had died. 3. Teacher : Why did you not come to school yesterday ? Kunal : I was suffering from fever. Teacher : Did you see a doctor ? Kunal : Yes, I did. The teacher asked Kunal (a) ______ to school the previous day. Kunal told the teacher that (b) ______ from fever. The teacher asked him (c) ______ Kunal replied in the affir- mative. (a) (i) why you did not come (ii) why he did not come (iii) why he had not came (iv) why he had not come (b) (i) am suffering (ii) he suffered (iii) he had suffered (iv) he had been suffering (c) (i) that if he had seen a doctor (ii) if he saw a doctor (iii) if he did see a doctor (iv) if he had seen a doctor

332 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 4. Mother : Why were you shouting at your brother ? Isha : He was teasing me. Mother : Did you tease your sister, Ranjan ? Ranjan : No, I don't know how to tease The mother asked Isha (a) ______ brother. Isha replied that (b) ______. Then the mother asked Ranjan, (c) ______ Ranjan replied innocently that he did not know how to tease. (a) (i) why she had been shouting at her (ii) why she was shouting at her (iii) why she shouted at her (iv) none of these (b) (i) he had been teasing her (ii) he teased her (iii) he had teased her (iv) he was teasing her (c) (i) whether he had teased his sister (ii) whether he teased his sister (iii) did he tease his sister (iv) was he teasing his sister 5. Chander : Why did you sell your new house ? Manish : It was a haunted house. Chander : Do you believe in ghosts ? Manish : No, but the ghosts believe in human beings. Chander asked Manish (a) ______ new house. Manish replied (b) ______ haunted house. Chander further asked (c) ______ in ghosts. Manish replied that he did not, but the ghosts believed in human beings. (a) (i) why did you sell your... (ii) why did he sell his... (iii) why he had sold his... (iv) why he sold his... (b) (i) if it was a (ii) that it is a (iii) that it was a (iv) that it had been a (c) (i) that he believed (ii) if he believes (iii) if he had believed (iv) if he believed EXERCISE 15 Read the comic strip and complete the passage given below. Write the correct answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole sentences. 1. I made comments Oh, this is Bad hand, on the paper completely writing is the draft you gave illegible ? only way people me. remember we’re doctors too. Oh Thanks Prof. Rivenson

REPORTED SPEECH 333 Professor Rivenson handed over the paper draft to Dr. Genie and said that (a) _________ she had given to him. Dr. Genie was terribly confused. She exclaimed with confusion and said that the paper draft (b) _________. At this Professor Rivenson re- marked that (c) _________ they were doctors too. 2. I told Rodney I What He started wanted an emotional did crying commitment from him he do ? Mrs. Pickle told Mrs. Weakly that (a) _________ an emotional commitment from him. At this Mrs. Weakly asked her what (b) _________ Mrs. Pickle replied that (c) _________ . 3. Why’d you take It was a I used to keep watching Now that it’s gone, I the clock out of distraction. it, waiting for lunch can go and eat any time to come around ! your room ? I feel like it ! Archie found no clock on Andy’s table. He asked him why (a) _________ his room. Andy replied that it had been a distraction. He further added that he used to (b) _________ around and then that it was gone he (c) _________ like it.

10 The Preposition 1. A Preposition is a word placed before a Noun or a Pronoun to show its relation to some other word in the sentences ; as— He works hard in the hope of standing first. The loss of her son kept preying upon her mind. The Noun or Pronoun before which a Preposition is placed is its object. It is in the Objective Case and is said to be governed by the Preposition ; as— This pen is for him. (not he) He has no belief in me. (not I) We waited for them. (not they) Sometimes a Preposition follows the Object ; as Here is the pen that you were looking for. (The Relative Pronoun that is the Object) What are you driving at ? (The Interrogative Pronoun what is the Object) Position of a Preposition in regard to ‘who’ or ‘whom’ ; as— Who are you speaking to ? To whom are you speaking ? Both of these sentences are correct. When the Preposition is used with the Infinitive it is placed at the end of the sentence ; as This ball is to play with. Do you have a friend to rely on ? I have no money to help you with. KINDS OF PREPOSITIONS 2. Prepositions are of five kinds— 1. Simple Prepositions ; as— After, at, by, down, in, of, over, to, up, with, through, for, on, off, till, out etc. 2. Compound Prepositions ; as— About, across, against, before, beside, into, until, within etc. 3. Double Prepositions ; as— From among, from beneath, from under, out of, etc. 386

THE PREPOSITION 387 4. Participial Prepositions ; as— Considering, accepting, notwithstanding, regarding, etc. 5. Phrasal Prepositions ; as— Along with by way of by virtue of instead of on account of in the event of on behalf of, etc. 3. Common Use of Some Prepositions 1. At, In (a) ‘At’ is used with the names of small towns and villages ; similarly ‘In’ is used with the names of big cities and countries ; as— He was born at Kabirpur in Sonepat. We settled at Delhi in India. (b) (i) ‘At’ is used for a point of time. (ii) ‘In’ is used for a period of time. I shall see you at 6 o’clock in the evening. I shall return in four days. We say in the morning (evening or afternoon), at night, at dawn, at day break, at noon etc. (c) Both ‘At’ and ‘In’ are used in speaking of things at rest ; as I am sitting at my desk. She is sleeping in her room. 2. After, In When ‘after’ and ‘in’ denote time, the former refers to the past and the latter to the Future ; as— He came back after a year. (Past) I shall return your pen in a month. (Future) Both ‘After’ and ‘In’ refer to the expiry of the time. 3. After, Behind After refers to time, order or position, while behind refers to place ; as You came after 10 a.m. and stood behind the wall. We ran after the thief. 4. Between, Among Between is used for two persons or things ; among for more than two ; as The father’s property was divided equally between the two brothers. Distribute these mangoes among all the boys. 5. In, Into In shows rest within, into shows motion/movement inwards ; as— There are twenty desks in the room. He jumped into the river. 6. In, Within, Before ‘In’ shows the end of a period of time ; ‘within’ shows the period before the end of a period of time ; ‘before’ refers to the time before a point of time ; as— I shall write to you in a week. (during the week or immediately at the end of the week)

388 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR I shall write to you within a week. (before the expiry of a week) I shall finish this book before March next. 7. On, Upon Virtually speaking, there is no explicit difference between ‘on’ and ‘upon’. However, ‘upon’ is more formal ; as— The books are lying on the table. The king sat upon the throne. ‘on’ shows rest ; ‘upon’ shows movement ; as He fell on the floor. The cat sprang upon the rat. 8. Since, For, From ‘Since’ refers to a point of time. ‘For’ refers to a period of time. They are used in some forms of the Perfect Tense only. ‘From’ is used for a point of time in any Tense ; as— If ‘Since’ joins two Clauses, we use Present Perfect Tense before it (since) and Simple Past Tense after it (since). However, we must keep in mind that ‘since’ is not a preposition but a conjunction ; as— Mohan has grown fat since he married. I have been ill since Monday last. I have not heard from you for a long time. He has been working in this office for five years. I shall wait for you from Monday to Friday. He plays from morning till evening. 9. Beside, Besides Beside means by the side of ; besides means in addition to ; as He was sitting beside his mother. Besides being punished, he was fined. 10. By, With By refers to the doer or the agent ; with shows the instrument ; as He was stabbed by his enemy with a dagger. He beat me with a stick. Also study the following sentences : (a) She sat by her mother. (near) I travelled by myself. (alone) What is the time by your watch ? (according to) I am a Brahman by caste. (in respect of) (b) I rise with the sun. With all your shortcomings, I love you. 11. Till, By ‘Till’ means ‘upto’. ‘By’ means ‘not later than’. We also use ‘by’ for the means of convey- ance also ; as— I shall wait for you till 5 P.M. I shall come back by 7 o’clock. I went to Delhi by car. 12. Over, Above, Under, Below ‘Over’ is the opposite of ‘under’. ‘Over’ implies the relation of highest in position or space. ‘Above’ is the opposite of ‘below’ and shows rest in a higher position ; as—

THE PREPOSITION 389 The sky is over our heads. My house is above the road. The bullocks are tethered under a shady tree. He is under the thumb of his wife. His head is above water. He is below me in the class. Revision of Prepositions in Common Use A. Prepositions of Time : At—At sunset, at noon, at dawn, at 10 o’clock, at Holi, at Dussehra. On—On Friday, on 25th April, on Sunday morning. In—In an hour, in March, in the morning, in the evening. During—During holidays, during the war. By—By 7 o’clock, by Monday. For—For ten days, for two hours. Since—Since morning, since 1995, since 8 o’clock. B. Prepositions of Travel and Movement : By—By bus, by train, by aeroplane. On—On foot, on bike, on horse back. From—From home to school. C. Preposition of Place : At—At a small village, at a certain point, at home. In—In a city, in a country, in an inclosed space. 4. Common Errors in the Use of Prepositions I. Incorrect/Correct Use of Prepositions Incorrect Correct 1. They invited me for tea. They invited me to tea. 2. I refrain to tell a lie. I refrain from telling a lie. 3. Compare Aurangzeb to Akbar. Compare Aurangzeb with Akbar. 4. Write to me on this address. Write to me to this address. 5. We sat under the shade of a tree. We sat in the shade of a tree. 6. Open your books on page ten. Open your books at page ten. 7. The teacher is angry upon me. The teacher is angry with me. 8. He died from cholera. He died of cholera. 9. There is no remedy of this. There is no remedy for this. 10. It has been raining from morning. It has been raining since morning. 11. Why are you afraid from me? Why are you afraid of me? 12. I repented for my mistake. I repented of my mistake. 13. In his way to school, he came across a On his way to school, he came across a friend. I will take revenge on my enemy. friend. What is the time by your watch? 14. I will take revenge from my enemy. The examination begins on Monday. 15. What is the time in your watch? The Punjab is in the North of India. 16. The examination begins from Monday. The mouse ran into the hole. 17. The Punjab is to the North of India. I have been standing here for four hours. 18. The mouse ran in the hole. See me after this period. 19. I have been standing here from four I said it to his face. hours. 20. See me behind this period. 21. I said it upon his face.

390 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 22. You are kind on me. You are kind to me. 23. Distribute these mangoes between five Distribute these mangoes among five boys. I am searching for my book. boys. Don’t quarrel over trifles. 24. I am searching after my book. 25. Don’t quarrel on trifles. II. Where Prepositions are omitted Correct Incorrect I wrote to him yesterday. You do not attend to your lesson. 1. I wrote him yesterday. I looked at his face. 2. You do not attend your lesson. They played at cards. 3. I looked his face. I asked for a ticket. 4. They played cards. Who is knocking at the door? 5. I asked a ticket. Eyes are to see with. 6. Who is knocking the door? They waited for me. 7. Eyes are to see. Why don’t you listen to me? 8. They waited me. 9. Why don’t you listen me? III. Where Prepositions are not required Incorrect Correct 1. Do not shirk from work. Do not shirk work. 2. He resembles with his father. He resembles his father. 3. A mother loves with her children. A mother loves her children. 4. Why do you fear from me? Why do you fear me? 5. We entered into the hall. We entered the hall. 6. We reached at the station in time. We reached the station in time. 7. I told to him to go there. I told him to go there. 8. They ascended up the hill. They ascended the hill. 9. I shall resign from my post. I shall resign my post. 10. Please sign on this paper. Please sign this paper. 11. She asked from me what I was doing. She asked me what I was doing. 12. I shall pass in the examination. I shall pass the examination. 13. I have ordered for books. I have ordered books. 14. The police investigated into the matter. The police investigated the matter. *15. Will you accompany with me to the Will you accompany me to the bazaar? bazaar? EXERCISE 1 I. Correct the following. 1. He died from cholera. 2. I prevented him to do this. 3. I reached the station late. 4. He gave to me a pen to write. 5. He is ill since four days. 6. He is married with my cousin. 7. I shall inform this to the police. 8. I am confident to win. 9. She resembles with her mother. 10. I am not envious about his success. *Note. In Hindi we link Transitive Verb or object with a preposition. It does not happen so in English. If we translate in Hindi sentence (eSa ekrkth dks I;kj djrk gw¡A) we shall wrongly translate it if we use the preposition to or with. The correct translation would be ‘I love mother’.

THE PREPOSITION 391 II. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions. 1. I prefer tea ...... coffee. 2. I agree ...... you. 3. His failure is due ...... his carelessness. 4. Do not be hard ...... your servants. 5. Do you approve ...... my design? 6. He was the best ...... men. 7. She was sorry ...... her behaviour. 8. Why did your mother send ....... you? 9. He is in search ...... a job. 10. He is afraid ...... going there. III. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions given. You may use a given preposition as often as necessary. (with, of, at, to, into, for, on, out) 1. It is you who are to blame ...... your mistakes. 2. Here is a blanket to cover your body ...... . 3. I am afraid, there are more troubles in store ...... you. 4. There is no use relying ...... her promises any more. 5. It was your advice which helped me ...... of this trouble. 6. Your words only add ...... my grief. 7. Children are fond ...... sweets. 8. I shall be happy to share this food ...... you. 9. Whenever he is ...... need, he comes to me ...... money. 10. Yesterday our teacher got very angry ...... Sita. 11. No evil can happen ...... a good man. 12. She put the money ...... my pocket. 13. The train is arriving ...... platform no. 5. 14. I always prefer walking ...... riding. 15. I am not accustomed ...... such hardships. 16. All were astonished ...... her failure in the examination. 17. Kashmir is famous ...... apples. 18. I am grateful ...... you for all that you have done for me. 19. Dr. Mukhija is no authority ...... law. 20. The parents were disgusted ...... the performance of their daughter in the examination. 21. You are not capable ...... defeating him. Why do you take a chance ? 22. The captain was astonished ...... the decision given by the umpire. 23. Be contented ....... what you have. You should never grumble at all. 24. We are eagerly looking ...... your arrival at home. 25. The monitor informed the principal ...... the mischief Mahesh had done in the class. WORDS FOLLOWED BY APPROPRIATE PREPOSITIONS 1. Please accede to my request. 2. Avail yourself of this chance. 3. I acted according to his advice. 4. He was not ashamed of his conduct. 5. You are angry with me for nothing. 6. Always abide by your promise. 7. She is absorbed in her study. 8. I was accused of theft.

392 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 9. He was acquitted of murder. 10. You will be admitted to the 10th class. 11. I agree with you in this matter. 12. I agree with you on this point. 13. They did not agree to my proposal. 14. I abstained from food for three days. 15. I do not approve of your proposal. 16. I arrived at the station in time. 17. We should not associate with bad boys. 18. I assured him of my help. 19. You must apologise to him for your mistake. 20. Is she acquainted with you ? 21. I was alarmed at the sight of the snake. 22. He was already aware of his failure. 23. I am not afraid of you. 24. The hunter aimed at the dove. 25. I was amazed (astonished), at his failure. 26. We have an easy access to our headmaster. 27. Adapt yourself to your circumstances. 28. Please attend to your lesson. 29. He is averse to hard work. 30. She has an aptitude for music. 31. This book belongs to me. 32. America is bent on going to war with Russia. 33. He is blind of one eye. 34. He is blind to the defects of his son. 35. Do not boast of your wealth. 36. I was born of poor parents. You were born in a rich family. 37. The beggar begged a paisa of me. 38. Beware of pickpockets. 39. The dogs bark at the strangers. 40. I never borrow money of anybody. 41. God has blessed us with many talents. 42. He does not care for money. 43. Please comply with my request. 44. I shall complain to the headmaster against you. 45. They congratulated me on my success. 46. Never count on anybody’s help. 47. I was charged with theft. 48. I was convinced of his honesty. 49. He was cured of plague. 50. I am conscious of my weakness.

THE PREPOSITION 393 51. The child clings to his mother. 52. I shall call on you tomorrow. 53. He never consulted me in this matter. 54. True happiness consists in contentment. 55. Our class consists of forty boys. 56. He is confident of his success. 57. He felt a craving for smoking. 58. Compare Akbar with Sher Shah. 59. Life is compared to a bubble. 60. The Mumbai Express collided with a goods-train. 61. Shama’s father deals in tea. 62. I have no dealings with him. 63. He depends upon me for the supply of rations. 64. He has no desire for fame. 65. He is destined to die unknown. 66. Your brother is quite different from you. 67. I differ with you on this question. 68. Distinguish between a friend and a foe. 69. My thanks are due to the President. 70. A large balance is due from you. 71. She died of cholera. 72. The poor fellow died by inches. 73. Dispose of your old furniture. 74. I shall dispense with your services. 75. He is despaired of success. 76. He dissuaded me from going to cinema. 77. You have deprived me of my rights. 78. His parents are disgusted with him. 79. You are devoid of common sense. 80. Please excuse me for coming late. 81. The headmaster exempted me from the payment of fees. 82. The prisoner escaped from the jail at dead of night. 83. He will prove equal to the task. 84. I am envious of my success. 85. Tagore was endowed with the talent of poetry. 86. You are not eligible for this post. 87. Hard work is essential to success in life. 88. He enquired of me about my father. 89. Please enquire after his health. 90. I never expected this of you. 91. Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty. 92. The house should be furnished with water and electricity.

394 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 93. I am not familiar with this man. 94. Her face is familiar to me. 95. I have full faith in you. 96. Cows feed on grass. 97. She is very free with you. 98. He is not free from guilt. 99. He filled the jug with milk. 100. Children are fond of sweets. 101. We shall fight to the last. 102. She is gifted with rare talents. 103. Do good to others. I am good at figures. 104. You are guilty of misconduct. 105. We are not on good terms with each other. 106. She was glad of my success. 107. I am grateful to you for this favour. 108. Guard yourself against your fair-weather friends. 109. Do not grumble at your lot. 110. Give up your bad habits. 111. I always hope for the best. 112. I shall hinder you from doing wrong. 113. I am very hard up these days. 114. Do not hanker after worldly pleasures. 115. I have a great hatred for those who tell a lie. 116. She is hopeful of her success. 117. You should be honest in your dealings. 118. I am an heir to a large property. 119. She is ill with fever. 120. I have informed him of your arrival. 121. He is ignorant of his shortcomings. 122. Smoking is injurious to health. 123. I shall introduce you to my father. 124. He is indifferent to his health. 125. I invited all my friends to tea. 126. Honesty pays in the long run. 127. She is very intimate with me. 128. I am interested in him. 129. This cloth is inferior to that. 130. She insisted on my going to school. 131. Always be kind to the animals. 132. Who is knocking at the door ? 133. Please listen to me. 134. Do not laugh at the poor.

THE PREPOSITION 395 135. This road leads to Delhi. 136. Look at the blackboard. 137. He is loyal to his country. 138. I am no match for you. 139. Do not meddle with my affairs. 140. I object to your proposal. 141. She parted from her parents weeping. 142. I cannot part with this book. 143. Do not quarrel over trifles. 144. Remember me to your father. 145. He will repent his mistake. 146. He did not reply to my letter. 147. She has recovered from illness. 148. Always refrain from telling a lie. 149. Refer this matter to the police. 150. They rejoiced at their success. 151. I cannot rely on him. 152. She is related to me. 153. He has no regard (respect) for me. 154. Please remind me of this. 155. The medicine relieved him of pain. 156. He was robbed of his money. 157. I am sick of this sort of life. 158. She is sure of her success. 159. He has no sympathy for the poor. 160. I was suspected of theft. 161. He stared at my face. 162. She is sensitive to abuse. 163. I ran short of money. 164. I sympathise with you in your troubles. 165. I have sent for the doctor. 166. I am shocked at this news. 167. I am sorry for the delay. 168. They made a search for the thief. 169. He was sentenced to death. 170. Stick to your point of view. 171. I shall satisfy you with my work. 172. This paper is superior to that. 173. They supplied us with food. 174. Let us talk about something pleasant. 175. I don’t like travelling by train. 176. You should not talk to him about this.

396 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 177. The rich tyrannize over the poor. 178. I am tired of the endless waiting. 179. The Rajputs were true to their word. 180. I have no taste for music. 181. I took him for a thief. 182. This house teems with rats. 183. Think over this matter again. 184. The poor fellow is trembling with fear. 185. Do not trust children with sharp weapons. 186. Trust in God and do the right. 187. You are unfit for this post. 188. She is vain of her beauty. 189. I am well-versed in Book-Keeping. 190. She fell a victim to smallpox. 191. You are wanting in common sense. 192. You are not worthy of this post. 193. I have warned you of the danger. 194. The youth delegation waited upon the President. 195. I shall wait for you here. 196. I am weary of this sort of life. 197. The people wondered at this juggler’s feats. 198. A true yogi never yields to temptation. 199. The poor fellow yearns for true happiness. 200. Why are you not zealous for your success ? EXERCISE 2 (Solved) I. Fill in the blanks with suitable Prepositions : 1. Mr. Sharma enquired ...... my progress. 2. Dr. Azad acceded ...... his request. 3. He was allowed ...... speak ...... poetry. 4. ...... thirty members ...... the staff participated ...... the discussion. 5. Each ...... the members was asked ...... pay ...... his debts. 6. Mr. Mehra put ...... his hat and sat ...... the chair. 7. He proposed ...... look ...... the matter personally. 8. Ms. Archna Ruhela advised them not ...... be jealous ...... others’ progress but ...... be jealous ...... their own success. 9. Miss Manju Doda hailed ...... a well to do family ...... Judges. 10. Their quarrel ...... land was different ...... the quarrel ...... the two brothers. Answers 1. of 2. to 3. to, on 4. Over, of, in 5. of, to, off 6. on, in 7. to, into 8. to, of, to, for 9. from, of 10. over, from, between. II. Insert suitable Prepositions where necessary : 1. Parting ...... all his belongings Ram parted ...... Ayodhya.

THE PREPOSITION 397 2. ...... the beginning Kaikayee quarrelled ...... throne ...... Bharat but later she repented ...... her mistake. 3. Ram refrained ...... hankering ...... kingdom and expressed his gratefulness ...... his step mother ...... doing him such a favour. 4. He prayed ...... the prosperity and well being ...... his fellow citizens. 5. He spoke ...... an accustomed ...... way but citizens were astonished ...... it. 6. ...... early morning Ram had been preparing ...... his departure ...... the forests. 7. ...... Ram, Sita and Lakshman also sat ...... him ...... the chariot. 8. People burst ...... tears as their beloved Ram, who was heir ...... the throne ...... Ayodhya was sentenced ...... stay ...... 14 years ...... forests. 9. They were much shocked ...... the news that Sita Ji will also walk ...... Ram ...... the forests’ paths. 10. They heartily sympathised ...... Ram and cursed ...... the II queen ...... disposing ...... her motherly love ...... Ram. Answers 1. with, from 2. In, over, for, over 3. from, after, to, for 4. for, of 5. in, ×, at 6. Since, for, for 7. Besides, beside, in 8. into, to, of, to, for, in 9. at, alongwith, on 10. with, ×, for, of, for. QUESTIONS SELECTED FROM EXAMINATION PAPERS I. Choose the correct Prepositions : (a) (i) I shall be on holiday (since, from) tomorrow. (ii) I have three other coats (beside, besides) this. (iii) Come and sit (beside, besides) me. (iv) I haven’t written to him (since, from) last Monday. (b) (i) Kolkata is different (to, from) Mumbai. (ii) He died (from, of) overwork. (iii) Ravi is married (with, to) a cousin of mine. (iv) Ice-cream is made (of, from) milk. (c) (i) Students sat (at, on) the table to take down notes. (ii) Tired travellers rested (under, below) a tree. (iii) I am tired (from, of) walking. (iv) He did not agree (with, to) my proposal. (v) We are prepared to say it (at, to) his face. (vi) When do you intend leaving (to, for) home ? II. Supply suitable Prepositions in the blanks below : (a) (i) There is no quarrel ...... the two brothers. (ii) He did not listen ...... my advice. (iii) She visited the temple ...... the way. (iv) By my watch it is ten minutes ...... three. (v) Sheela is the best ...... all the girls in the class.

398 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR (b) (i) You must cut ...... your expenditure. (ii) You should engage a nurse to look ...... your ailing mother. (iii) You should not keep ...... any secret from your friend. (iv) He was brought ...... by his uncle. (c) (i) She takes great pride ...... never making a mistake. (ii) She had a good reason ...... being angry. (iii) All those in favour ...... the motion, please raise their hands. (iv) His father was the person who had the most influence ...... him. III. Insert suitable prepositions : 1. It is a long time (a) ...... I saw my friend. He is living (b) ....... his parents (c) ...... the neighbouring town. I propose talking to him (d) ....... the telephone. 2. Please do not compare him (a) ...... my brother. My brother is much superior (b) ...... him. You will be sure (c) ...... this if you see them together. You can depend (d) ...... my word. 3. He has agreed (a) ...... my request. I shall meet him (b) ....... the evening. I cannot tell you anything (c) ...... then. You should wait (d) ...... a few hours more. 4. This house was superior (a) ...... all others. It had a small kitchen, a garden (b) ...... the back and (c) ...... the front. It looked beautiful. So I agreed (d) ...... the demand of the proprietor. 5. The teacher looked (a) ...... me angrily and forbade me (b) ...... enter the class room. He suspected me (c) ...... the mischief done (d) ...... some other students. 6. Galileo found that the Milky way contained millions and millions (a) ...... faint stars. He turned the telescope (b) ...... the moon and what he saw filled him (c) ...... amazement. (d) ...... the moon’s surface, which seems so smooth, he saw high mountains and deep valleys (e) ...... those (f) ...... the earth. IV. Fill in the blanks with suitable Prepositions : 1. Prem failed (a) ...... the surprise (b) ...... everybody. His teachers were kind (c) ...... him but he did not avail himself (d) ...... the opportunity. He loitered (e) ...... the place (f) ...... the greater part (g) ...... the day, sometimes leaning (h) ...... the wall and sometimes strolling (i) ...... the street (j) ...... the opposite side. 2. Last night I was suddenly awakened (a) ...... the piercing cries, ‘‘Fire ! Fire !’’ I jumped (b) ...... of my bed and rushed (c) ...... the scene (d) ...... fire. I was shocked (e) ...... find that (f) ...... the adjoining street the beautiful house (g) ...... my friend was (h) ...... fire. The sight (i) ...... leaping flames filled me (j) ...... terror. 3. We saw a big elephant moving slowly (a) ...... us. Just then a man came riding (b) ...... a horse (c) ...... the opposite direction. The horse was frightened (d) ...... the sight (e) ...... the elephant. It raised its forelegs high (f)...... in the air. Throwing the

THE PREPOSITION 399 man (g) ...... his back, the horse dashed (h) ...... the road. A crowd gathered at once (i) ...... the spot. The man was immediately moved (j) ...... the hospital. 4. Good manners depend (a) ...... our family traditions and breeding. Parents are to set an example (b) ...... their children. We should be humble and polite (c) ...... our talk (d) ...... others. Good manners also demand that we stand (e) ...... a queue while boarding a bus. We should observe the rules (f) ...... good health. We should not cough (g) ...... putting our handkerchief (h) ...... our mouth. Good manners give colour (i) ...... our life. They can be acquired only (j) ...... good training. 5. Mr. Raj, who is (a) ...... his mid-twenties, returned (b) ...... India (c) ...... a two year stay (d) ...... Cambridge University. He had gone (e) ...... specialise (f) ...... Economics. His opinion is that one came to realise the shortcomings and benefits (g) ...... living (h) ...... one’s own country only when he lives abroad (i) ...... some length (j) ...... time. I. (a) (i) from (ii) besides Answers (iv) since (b) (i) from (ii) of (iii) beside (iv) from (c) (i) on (ii) under (iii) to (iv) to (v) to (vi) for (iii) of (iv) to (ii) to (iv) up II. (a) (i) between (iii) on (iv) on (v) of (d) on (ii) after (iii) back (d) on (b) (i) down (ii) for (iii) in (d) for (c) (i) in (b) with (d) to III. 1. (a) since (b) to (c) in (d) by 2. (a) with (b) in (c) of (d) On 3. (a) to (b) at (c) till (d) of 4. (a) to (b) to (c) in (h) on 5. (a) at (b) to/towards (c) of (d) of 6. (a) of (f) of (c) with (h) on (b) of (c) to (d) at (e) like (f) for (g) of (h) on IV. 1. (a) to (j) on (c) to (d) with (b) out (g) of (h) over (e) about (f) in (c) from (d) at (i) in (j) with (g) off (h) in 2. (a) by (b) on (c) in (e) to (f) in (g) without (i) of (j) to (c) after 3. (a) towards (b) before (g) of (e) of (f) of (i) on (j) by 4. (a) upon (b) to (e) in (f) in (i) to (j) of 5. (a) in (e) to (i) for

400 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR PRACTICE TIME—I EXERCISE 3 The following passages have not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction as given in the example. Underline the correction. 1. Aeroplanes mostly fly with a speed e.g. with ... at less than that in the sound. Although (a) we have at the modern world the (b) aeroplanes which can fly on greater (c) speed, they are not of common use. (d) When an aeroplane flies with a speed (e) which is more than that with the (f) sound, it consumes much fuel. 2. There are eight men at Shangha who e.g. at ... in can tell you a lot in its history. (a) They are found standing up the Band, (b) the famous strip by the banks of (c) Huangpu that boasts with some (d) of the most beautiful architecture of (e) Asia. All these figures are made with (f) stone. 3. Icce lay at the hospital in 1948. It e.g. at ... in was clear with him that he was (a) likely of lose all his status if (b) he committed the mistake to revealing (c) his background. Moreover with disclosing (d) his background, he was afraid to being (e) outed through his black relations. (f) 4. Days since my wife passed away, I received e.g. since ... after a letter by my bank. It included a reminder: (a) “Any cheques written with the deceased (b) after the date with her death will (c) not be honoured with payment.” (d) EXERCISE 4 There is a word missing in each of the line of the passages below. Find the missing word and write it with a word that comes before it and a word that comes after it as given in the examples.

THE PREPOSITION 401 1. We live a house in James Street. e.g. live in a We live 495 James Street. Our (a) house is a convenient location. It (b) is just the main road. It (c) is the corner of James Street and (d) Mound Road. The house is hidden trees (e) 2. My father goes to his office bus. e.g. office by bus I go school at 10 a.m. every day. (a) I go my bicycle. We spend a (b) lot of time home. My sister (c) is bed with a cold and my brothers (d) study the drawing room. In the (e) evening my father sits his favourite chair (f) 3. Could you do something me ? I left e.g. something for me my bag blue colour at the (a) dressing table my room at home. (b) I wrote my mother yesterday and (c) said if you called her she could (d) give it you. You can bring it (e) when you come Bombay next week (f) 4. This happened a school religion e.g. happened at a exam. There was the exam a question (a) “What is a sin commission ?” one (b) student’s answer wasn’t quite target (c) but it was close. The child was the view (d) “A sin which I forgot to commit”. PRACTICE TIME—II EXERCISE 5 Choose the most appropriate option from the brackets to complete the following passage : 1. A portion (a) ______ (with/of/from/for) these ashes should be disposed (b) ______ (with/ of/from/for) in the following manner. Let them be carried high up (c) ______ (for/about/ in/at) the air and scattered (d) ______ (by/from/at/in) that height in the fields where the farmers (e) ______ (in/of/at/by) India toil so that they might mingle (f) ______ (at/by/in/ of) the soil of India.

402 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR 2. Now more than a decade has passed (a) ______ (by/at/since/from) that soft and shining January evening when the Mahatma walked to his death (b) ______ (by/to/through/in) the roses. People will forever remember him (c) ______ (by/at/as/in) the Father (d) ______ (at/in/on/of) Nation. Who gave his life (e) ______ (on/to/at/in) keep the country united. He was a devout Hindu who gave his life (f) ______ (an/for/to/of) protect the Muslims. 3. Much has been said and written (a) ______ (of/about/on/in) national unity. More (b) ______ (at/than/about/for) one conference has been held (c) ______ (at/to/in/from) promote it. The result of a committee engaged (d) ______ (at/on/in/to) exploring the feeling of unity (e) ______ (by/between/among/for) students is not yet out. Yet we know that all these efforts will end (f) ______ (on/in/for/at) futility. 4. One of the lessons (a) ______ (an/of/on/at) history is that an armed minority has no right (b) ______ (to/on/in/at) force the majority but how a bare majority has a right to force a bare minority. This is, however, one (c) ______ (of/on/at/for) the basic tenets of democracy. Shaw has pointed out the methods (d) ______ (by/on/at/with) which the democracy works. Democracy believes (e) ______ (on/at/in/of) the right of the majority. What do you think (f) ______ (with/by/about/within) it ? 5. What is university education (a) ______ (before/after/about/either) all ? It works (b) ______ (in/an/on/at) our minds. It tries to perfect them (c) ______ (on/at/by/in) four basic abilities. The most important among them is to make valid judgement (d) ______ (on/at/in/by) conflicting matters. Unfortunately, the goal of our students is quite different (e) ______ (on/from/by/of) this. They use it to make as much money (f) ______ (by/on/of/as) they can. EXERCISE 6 1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate preposition given in brackets. Choose one of the correct options given below. Sohan was accused (a) _________ murder. He appealed (b) _________ the judge (c) _________ mercy. But his appeal was not listened (d) _________. He was found guilty (e) _________ murder. He was condemned (f) _________ death. (a) (i) in (ii) to (iii) at (iv) of (b) (i) to (ii) from (iii) of (iv) for (c) (i) from (ii) by (iii) for (iv) to (d) (i) at (ii) to (iii) of (iv) in (e) (i) for (ii) in (iii) of (iv) to (f) (i) to (ii) for (iii) of (iv) at 2. Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the following passage. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole passage. Mahatma Gandhi did not set out (a) _________ evolve a philosophy (b) _________ life or (c) _________ formulate a system (d) _________ beliefs or ideals. He had no inclination (e) _________ do so. He had, however firm faith (f) _________ truth and ahimsa. (a) (i) for (ii) to (iii) about (iv) in (b) (i) of (ii) from (iii) in (iv) at

THE PREPOSITION 403 (c) (i) at (ii) with (iii) to (iv) for (d) (i) in (ii) of (iii) from (iv) about (e) (i) on (ii) in (iii) to (iv) with (f) (i) to (ii) in (iii) at (iv) on 3. Choose the most appropriate options from the ones given below to complete the following passage. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank numbers. Do not copy the whole passage : Last Sunday I went (a) _________ the railway station to see (b) _________ my uncle. There was a large crowd (c) _________ passengers. People stood (d) _________ a long queue (e) _________ the booking window. Porters were moving (f) _________ their luggage. (a) (i) at (ii) to (iii) by (iv) with (b) (i) for (ii) of (iii) off (iv) from (c) (i) of (ii) with (iii) by (iv) in (d) (i) by (ii) with (iii) in (iv) on (e) (i) for (ii) in (iii) with (iv) at (f) (i) with (ii) to (iii) by (iv) from 4. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct preposition from the ones given below the passage. Do not copy the whole passage. My grandmother gets up early (a) _________ the morning. She goes (b) _________ temple every morning. Sometimes, she takes me (c) _________ her. I enjoy visiting the temple. She worships there (d) _________ an hour. She returns home (e) _________ 8 am. Then she prepares breakfast. She does so (f) _________ twenty minutes only. (a) (i) in (ii) to (iii) with (iv) on (b) (i) with (ii) to (iii) in (iv) on (c) (i) to (ii) for (iii) with (iv) in (d) (i) for (ii) to (iii) with (iv) in (e) (i) on (ii) at (iii) over (iv) in (f) (i) in (ii) at (iii) for (iv) with