[Grammar] which way to the beach was the shortest

[Oceanlike]

I'm unsure if my answer to the following direct-to-indirect speech exercise is correct:

Jay asked, "Which is the shortest way to the beach?"
My answer: Jay asked which way to the beach was the shortest.


How about: Jay asked which way was the shortest to the beach.

Thank you! :-D

 

[Roman55]

Why change the word order?

Jay asked which was the shortest way to the beach.

 

[Oceanlike]

I read in books that say the verb and subject should swap their positions in a reported speech ie. for questions, subject follows verb; for statements/reported speech, verb follows subject.

In all such exercises that I have done, it's always in that order - at least for academic setting.

Having said that, I think your construction sounds best!

 

[Matthew Wai]

for statements/reported speech, verb follows subject

In Roman55's sentence, the verb 'was' follows the subject 'which'.

 

[Tdol]

My answer: Jay asked which way to the beach was the shortest.

Your answer is fine.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Oceanlike, you could also say "Which way to the beach is the shortest?" It is unlikely that the distance has changed.