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Hanuman_2000 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Direct question

Hello,

1.I said: "Can I help you?"

I have to convert this into the indirect speech. I have problems selecting the pronouns e.g in the above example "you refer to whom.

1a) I asked her if I could help her.
1b) I asked them If could help them.
1c) I asked him if I could help him.
1d) I asked if I could help you.

Which one is correct and how to take decision of selecting appropriate pronoun?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

There is no way to choose between these without knowing the context.

— GPY

  • There is no way to choose between these without knowing the context.
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3 Answers
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There is no way to choose between these without knowing the context.
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I asked if I could help him/her.
hanuman_2000Which one is correct and how to take decision of selecting appropriate pronoun?
It has already been explained to you on another thread that pronoun choice more often than not depends on the real situation.
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With no other context, if you have no idea of the actual situation, use exactly the same pronoun in the indirect question as is in the direct question.

I said, "Can I help her?"
I asked if I could help her.

I said, "Can I help him?"
I asked if I could help him.

I said, "Can I help them?"
I asked if I could help them.
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