Direct Indirect Speech

[rn5a]

Please have a look at the following direct conservation.

Tom : Why are you pulling my tails?
Jerry : Oh! I thought it is a rope.

This is the indirect speech of the first line.

Tom asked Jerry why he was pulling his tail.

The above line will be wrong if it is written like this:

Tom asked Jerry why was he pulling his tail.

Why is the second indirect speech wrong? What's the difference between why he was pulling his tail & why was he pulling his tail?

Thanks,

Ron

[2010]

Please have a look at the following direct conservation.

Tom : Why are you pulling my tails?
Jerry : Oh! I thought it is a rope.

This is the indirect speech of the first line.

Tom asked Jerry why he was pulling his tail.

The above line will be wrong if it is written like this:

Tom asked Jerry why was he pulling his tail.

Why is the second indirect speech wrong? What's the difference between why he was pulling his tail & why was he pulling his tail?

Thanks,

Ron

In the indirect speech, you ask or say about something to someone.

Your sentence - "Tom asked Jerry"

1. What did he ask? - This is the question format to be followed by an answer or a statement.

Tom asked Jerry why he was pulling his tail. - correct.

[e2e4]

A learner

If one reports what was said that one must be sure with his report and not using interrogative forms.