Reporting Questions: Essential Rules for CMAT Verbal Ability
Introduction
Questions on Reported Speech are a staple of the CMAT Verbal Ability section, and Reporting Questions (converting interrogative sentences from direct to indirect speech) are among the most frequently tested concepts. Since English questions use a different structural format than statements, transforming them requires applying a unique set of rules.
Mastering these subtle shifts in word order, auxiliary verbs, and connectors will help you quickly eliminate incorrect options and spot the correct answer choice in seconds.
The Golden Rules of Reporting Questions
When converting a direct question into indirect speech, you must apply four essential structural changes:
1. Change the Reporting Verb
The reporting verb (such as said or said to) must be changed to an inquisitive verb.
- said / said to becomes asked, enquired, demanded, or wanted to know.
- Note: Unlike "told," the verb "asked" can be followed directly by an object or can stand alone without an object.
2. Change the Sentence Structure (The Crucial Step)
This is where most CMAT candidates make mistakes. An indirect question is no longer a question; it becomes an assertive statement.
- You must change the word order from interrogative (Verb + Subject) to declarative (Subject + Verb).
- Eliminate the auxiliary verbs do, does, or did when converting simple present or simple past questions into assertive sentences.
- Remove the question mark ($?$) and replace it with a full stop ($.$).
$$\text{Direct: } \text{Verb} + \text{Subject} \longrightarrow \text{Indirect: } \text{Subject} + \text{Verb}$$
3. Connectors: Yes/No Questions vs. Wh- Questions
The choice of connector depends entirely on the type of question being asked:
- Yes/No Questions (questions starting with auxiliary verbs like Is, Are, Do, Have, Can, Will): Use if or whether as the connector. Do not use "that".
- Wh- Questions (questions starting with Who, What, Why, Where, When, How): Use the same question word as the connector. Do not use "that" or "if/whether".
Step-by-Step Worked Examples
Let us look at how these rules function in practice.
Example 1: Yes/No Question
- Direct: He said to me, "Are you going to college?"
- Step 1 (Verb): Change "said to me" to "asked me".
- Step 2 (Connector): Since "Are" is an auxiliary verb, use "if" or "whether".
- Step 3 (Structure & Pronouns): "Are you" (Verb + Subject) changes to "I was" (Subject + Verb). Note that "you" (second person) changes to "I" to match the object "me".
- Step 4 (Tense): Present continuous ("are going") changes to past continuous ("was going").
- Indirect: He asked me if I was going to college.
Example 2: Wh- Question
- Direct: She said to him, "Where do you live?"
- Step 1 (Verb): Change "said to him" to "asked him".
- Step 2 (Connector): Use "where" as the connector. Do not add "that" or "if".
- Step 3 (Structure & Tense): Remove the auxiliary verb "do". Change the remaining simple present statement "you live" to the simple past "he lived" (with "you" changing to "he" to match the object "him").
- Indirect: She asked him where he lived.
Quick Comparison Table
| Direct Question Type | Connecting Word | Word Order in Indirect | Example (Indirect) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes/No (e.g., "Can you help?") | if or whether | Subject + Verb | ...asked if I could help. |
| Wh- Question (e.g., "Why are you sad?") | Same Wh- word | Subject + Verb | ...asked why I was sad. |
Common Traps to Avoid in CMAT
- The "That If" / "That Wh-" Trap: Never use "that" alongside "if", "whether", or any Wh- word.
- Incorrect: He asked me that where I was going.
- Correct: He asked me where I was going.
- Inversion Retention Trap: Do not keep the question word order in the indirect sentence. CMAT distractors often keep the verb before the subject to trick you.
- Incorrect: She asked me where was my book.
- Correct: She asked me where my book was.
- Tense Backshift Errors: Do not forget to change the tense of the verb if the reporting verb is in the past tense.
- Incorrect: He asked me if I will come tomorrow.
- Correct: He asked me if I would come the next day.
Summary for Quick Revision
- Replace say/said with asked / enquired.
- Use if or whether for Yes/No questions.
- Use the Wh- word itself for Wh- questions.
- Always change the sentence layout to Subject + Verb and end with a period ($.$),
- Shift tenses and pronouns according to the general rules of reported speech.
Practise these as timed MCQs to lock the pattern in.