angel_sandie
New member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- British English
- Home Country
- New Zealand
- Current Location
- Hong Kong
I would like to enquire about the use of "which" in reported speech. I have looked at many grammar references but not many actually go over the use of "which" very clearly.
If we have a look at the following example,
Sara asked Peter, "Which pen is yours?"
In reported speech it could be,
1. Sara asked Peter which was his pen.
or
2. Sara asked Peter which his pen was.
or
3. Sara asked Peter which pen was his.
If we follow the rules of reported speech it would seem that number 2 is the most correct but if we look at the other 2 alternatives (1 and 3) they both appear as better answers. Could someone tell me which is the best answer and why the rules of reported speech cannot be applied with the use of "which".
If we have a look at the following example,
Sara asked Peter, "Which pen is yours?"
In reported speech it could be,
1. Sara asked Peter which was his pen.
or
2. Sara asked Peter which his pen was.
or
3. Sara asked Peter which pen was his.
If we follow the rules of reported speech it would seem that number 2 is the most correct but if we look at the other 2 alternatives (1 and 3) they both appear as better answers. Could someone tell me which is the best answer and why the rules of reported speech cannot be applied with the use of "which".