Module 4 · SSC CGL English Language
Active-Passive & Narration
Voice conversion, direct-indirect speech.
Active-Passive · Direct-Indirect Speech
Learning Objectives
- Master the conversion of Active Voice to Passive Voice across all tenses, modals, and sentence types
- Understand Direct & Indirect Speech (Narration) rules for tense backshift, pronoun shifts, and time-place changes
- Identify and correct common SSC CGL error patterns in voice and narration questions
- Solve exam-level MCQs on Active-Passive and Narration with speed and accuracy
1. Active & Passive Voice
What is Voice?
Voice indicates whether the subject performs the action (Active) or receives the action (Passive). Only transitive verbs — verbs that take a direct object — can be converted from active to passive. Intransitive verbs (e.g., sleep, arrive, die) cannot be used in passive voice.
SSC CGL Shortcut
In SSC CGL Tier 2, voice questions typically appear in the "Sentence Improvement" and "Active-Passive" sections. The golden rule: identify the tense first, then apply the correct be-verb + past participle structure.
Rules for Voice Change
All Tenses — Active to Passive Conversion
The table below shows the transformation pattern for every tense. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence; the subject of the active sentence becomes the agent introduced by by.
| Tense | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | She writes a letter. | A letter is written by her. |
| Present Continuous | She is writing a letter. | A letter is being written by her. |
| Present Perfect | She has written a letter. | A letter has been written by her. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | She has been writing a letter. | A letter has been being written by her. (Rarely used) |
| Simple Past | She wrote a letter. | A letter was written by her. |
| Past Continuous | She was writing a letter. | A letter was being written by her. |
| Past Perfect | She had written a letter. | A letter had been written by her. |
| Past Perfect Continuous | She had been writing a letter. | A letter had been being written by her. (Rarely used) |
| Simple Future | She will write a letter. | A letter will be written by her. |
| Future Perfect | She will have written a letter. | A letter will have been written by her. |
SSC CGL Tip — Continuous Tenses
Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, and Future Continuous are rarely used in passive voice in SSC CGL exams. If they appear, the passive form becomes cumbersome (e.g., has been being written). Most exam questions avoid these tenses in passive.
Example 1 — SSC CGL 2022 (Simple Present)
Convert to passive: The gardener waters the plants every morning.
Options:
a) The plants are watered by the gardener every morning.
b) The plants were watered by the gardener every morning.
c) The plants are being watered by the gardener every morning.
d) The plants have been watered by the gardener every morning.
Options:
a) The plants are watered by the gardener every morning.
b) The plants were watered by the gardener every morning.
c) The plants are being watered by the gardener every morning.
d) The plants have been watered by the gardener every morning.
Answer: a) The plants are watered by the gardener every morning.
Simple Present: waters → is/are + V3. Since "plants" is plural, use "are watered".
Simple Present: waters → is/are + V3. Since "plants" is plural, use "are watered".
Example 2 — SSC CGL 2021 (Past Continuous)
Convert to passive: The children were flying kites in the park.
Options:
a) Kites were flown in the park by the children.
b) Kites were being flown in the park by the children.
c) Kites are being flown in the park by the children.
d) Kites had been flown in the park by the children.
Options:
a) Kites were flown in the park by the children.
b) Kites were being flown in the park by the children.
c) Kites are being flown in the park by the children.
d) Kites had been flown in the park by the children.
Answer: b) Kites were being flown in the park by the children.
Rule: Past Continuous (was/were + V-ing) → was/were + being + V3.
Rule: Past Continuous (was/were + V-ing) → was/were + being + V3.
Example 3 — SSC CGL 2020 (Future Perfect)
Convert to passive: The team will have finished the project by Monday.
Options:
a) The project will be finished by the team by Monday.
b) The project will have been finished by the team by Monday.
c) The project will have finished by the team by Monday.
d) The project has been finished by the team by Monday.
Options:
a) The project will be finished by the team by Monday.
b) The project will have been finished by the team by Monday.
c) The project will have finished by the team by Monday.
d) The project has been finished by the team by Monday.
Answer: b) The project will have been finished by the team by Monday.
Future Perfect: will have + V3 → will have been + V3.
Future Perfect: will have + V3 → will have been + V3.
With Modal Verbs
Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to, need, dare, used to) follow a fixed passive pattern: modal + be + V3. For perfect modals: modal + have been + V3.
| Modal | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| can | I can solve this problem. | This problem can be solved by me. |
| could | He could lift the box. | The box could be lifted by him. |
| may | She may attend the meeting. | The meeting may be attended by her. |
| might | They might accept the offer. | The offer might be accepted by them. |
| shall | I shall finish the work. | The work shall be finished by me. |
| should | You should obey the rules. | The rules should be obeyed by you. |
| will | She will sign the papers. | The papers will be signed by her. |
| would | He would help the poor. | The poor would be helped by him. |
| must | We must protect the environment. | The environment must be protected by us. |
| ought to | You ought to respect elders. | Elders ought to be respected by you. |
| need | You need to submit the form. | The form needs to be submitted by you. |
| used to | He used to read novels. | Novels used to be read by him. |
| can have | She can have done it. | It could have been done by her. |
SSC CGL Trick — Modals
For modal-based passive questions in SSC CGL, always check two things: (1) the modal verb remains unchanged, (2) the main verb changes to be + V3. The only exception is ought to / used to + infinitive, which becomes ought to be / used to be + V3.
Example 4 — SSC CGL Modal Passive
Convert to passive: The government must implement these reforms immediately.
Options:
a) These reforms must be implemented by the government immediately.
b) These reforms must implemented by the government immediately.
c) These reforms must been implemented by the government immediately.
d) These reforms are implemented by the government immediately.
Options:
a) These reforms must be implemented by the government immediately.
b) These reforms must implemented by the government immediately.
c) These reforms must been implemented by the government immediately.
d) These reforms are implemented by the government immediately.
Answer: a) These reforms must be implemented by the government immediately.
Rule: must + V1 → must + be + V3.
Rule: must + V1 → must + be + V3.
Example 5 — SSC CGL Modal Perfect
Convert to passive: The manager could have approved the request.
Options:
a) The request could have approved by the manager.
b) The request could be approved by the manager.
c) The request could have been approved by the manager.
d) The request could been approved by the manager.
Options:
a) The request could have approved by the manager.
b) The request could be approved by the manager.
c) The request could have been approved by the manager.
d) The request could been approved by the manager.
Answer: c) The request could have been approved by the manager.
Rule: could have + V3 → could have been + V3.
Rule: could have + V3 → could have been + V3.
Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences express commands, requests, advice, or suggestions. The passive construction varies depending on the type of imperative.
| Type | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Command / Order | Close the door. | Let the door be closed. |
| Request (please) | Please help me. | You are requested to help me. |
| Advice / Suggestion | Take this medicine. | You are advised to take this medicine. |
| Negative Command | Do not smoke here. | You are forbidden to smoke here. / Let not smoking be done here. |
| Let + Object | Let him do the work. | Let the work be done by him. |
SSC CGL Tip — Imperative Passive
For imperative sentences, SSC CGL usually tests the "Let + object + be + V3" pattern or "You are requested/advised/ordered to + V1" pattern. Identify the tone (command vs request vs advice) to pick the correct passive form.
Example 6 — SSC CGL Imperative Passive
Convert to passive: Please bring me a glass of water.
Options:
a) Let a glass of water be brought to me.
b) You are requested to bring me a glass of water.
c) You are ordered to bring me a glass of water.
d) A glass of water is brought by me.
Options:
a) Let a glass of water be brought to me.
b) You are requested to bring me a glass of water.
c) You are ordered to bring me a glass of water.
d) A glass of water is brought by me.
Answer: b) You are requested to bring me a glass of water.
"Please" indicates a request, so use "You are requested to..."
"Please" indicates a request, so use "You are requested to..."
Interrogative Sentences
For interrogative sentences, the passive conversion must preserve the question structure. There are two types: Yes/No questions and WH-questions.
| Question Type | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No (Is/Are/Do/Does) | Does she write poems? | Are poems written by her? |
| Yes/No (Was/Were/Did) | Did they complete the work? | Was the work completed by them? |
| Yes/No (Has/Have/Had) | Have you seen the movie? | Has the movie been seen by you? |
| Yes/No (Modal) | Can he solve this sum? | Can this sum be solved by him? |
| WH- (What/Which) | What did she buy? | What was bought by her? |
| WH- (Who — object) | Who wrote this letter? | By whom was this letter written? |
| WH- (Whom — subject in passive) | Whom did you call? | Who was called by you? |
SSC CGL Trick — WH-Questions
Special attention: when the active sentence begins with "Who" (subject), the passive becomes "By whom". Example: Who wrote this? → By whom was this written? This is a frequently tested pattern in SSC CGL.
Example 7 — SSC CGL Interrogative Passive
Convert to passive: Who taught you English?
Options:
a) By whom was English taught to you?
b) Whom was English taught by?
c) Who was taught English by you?
d) By who was English taught to you?
Options:
a) By whom was English taught to you?
b) Whom was English taught by?
c) Who was taught English by you?
d) By who was English taught to you?
Answer: a) By whom was English taught to you?
"Who" (subject) in active → "By whom" at the start of passive sentence.
"Who" (subject) in active → "By whom" at the start of passive sentence.
Verbs with Two Objects
Some verbs (give, send, offer, tell, teach, show, promise, buy, lend, etc.) take both a direct object (thing) and an indirect object (person). Two passive forms are possible.
| Active | Passive 1 (indirect → subject) | Passive 2 (direct → subject) |
|---|---|---|
| She gave me a book. | I was given a book by her. | A book was given to me by her. |
| He taught us grammar. | We were taught grammar by him. | Grammar was taught to us by him. |
| They offered him a job. | He was offered a job by them. | A job was offered to him by them. |
| Mother bought me a dress. | I was bought a dress by mother. | A dress was bought for me by mother. |
SSC CGL Tip — Two Objects
SSC CGL often presents both passive forms as options. In formal English, the indirect object (person) as subject is more common. E.g., "I was given a book" is preferred over "A book was given to me". Note the preposition: use to for give/send/offer/tell; use for with buy/make/get.
Example 8 — SSC CGL Two Objects
Convert to passive: The company offered Mr. Sharma a handsome salary.
Options:
a) Mr. Sharma was offered a handsome salary by the company.
b) A handsome salary offered Mr. Sharma by the company.
c) Mr. Sharma is offered a handsome salary by the company.
d) A handsome salary was offering Mr. Sharma by the company.
Options:
a) Mr. Sharma was offered a handsome salary by the company.
b) A handsome salary offered Mr. Sharma by the company.
c) Mr. Sharma is offered a handsome salary by the company.
d) A handsome salary was offering Mr. Sharma by the company.
Answer: a) Mr. Sharma was offered a handsome salary by the company.
Indirect object (Mr. Sharma → subject). Simple Past (offered) → was offered.
Indirect object (Mr. Sharma → subject). Simple Past (offered) → was offered.
Prepositional Verbs
Some verbs are followed by a fixed preposition (laugh at, look at, send for, care for, call on, deal with, rely on, etc.). In passive voice, the preposition is retained immediately after the past participle.
| Active | Passive |
|---|---|
| The children laughed at the clown. | The clown was laughed at by the children. |
| She looks after her grandmother. | Her grandmother is looked after by her. |
| We sent for the doctor. | The doctor was sent for by us. |
| Nobody cares for such remarks. | Such remarks are not cared for by anybody. |
| They dealt with the problem. | The problem was dealt with by them. |
| He called on his friend. | His friend was called on by him. |
SSC CGL Warning — Preposition Retention
Never drop the preposition when converting to passive. A common SSC CGL trick is to present an option without the preposition (e.g., "The clown was laughed by the children"). This is always WRONG. The preposition must stay with the verb.
Example 9 — SSC CGL Prepositional Verb
Convert to passive: The principal called for an explanation.
Options:
a) An explanation was called for by the principal.
b) An explanation was called by the principal.
c) An explanation is called for by the principal.
d) An explanation was being called for by the principal.
Options:
a) An explanation was called for by the principal.
b) An explanation was called by the principal.
c) An explanation is called for by the principal.
d) An explanation was being called for by the principal.
Answer: a) An explanation was called for by the principal.
Note: "for" must be retained after "called" in the passive form. Simple Past → was + V3.
Note: "for" must be retained after "called" in the passive form. Simple Past → was + V3.
2. Direct & Indirect Speech
What is Narration?
Direct Speech quotes the exact words of the speaker (e.g., He said, "I am busy."). Indirect Speech (Reported Speech) reports the meaning without quotation marks (e.g., He said that he was busy.). SSC CGL tests both conversion directions: Direct → Indirect and Indirect → Direct.
SSC CGL Key Rule
The most important principle: when the reporting verb is in the PAST tense (said, told, asked, etc.), the verb in the reported speech must shift one tense BACK (backshift). Exception: universal truths, habits, and historical facts do NOT change tense.
Reporting Verbs
The reporting verb (he said, she told, they asked) determines the conjunction and structure in indirect speech.
| Reporting Verb | Sentence Type | Conjunction / Change | Example (Indirect) |
|---|---|---|---|
| said | Statement | that | He said that he was tired. |
| said to / told | Statement | that + object | He told me that he was tired. |
| asked / enquired | Yes/No Question | if / whether | He asked if I was coming. |
| asked / enquired | WH-Question | WH-word retained | He asked where I lived. |
| ordered / commanded | Command | to + V1 | He ordered me to stand up. |
| requested / begged | Request | to + V1 | She requested me to help her. |
| advised / suggested | Advice / Suggestion | to + V1 / should | He advised me to see a doctor. |
| exclaimed | Exclamation | exclaimed with joy/sorrow | He exclaimed with joy that he had won. |
| proposed / said | Proposal (let's) | proposed that / suggested that | He proposed that we should go for a walk. |
Example 10 — SSC CGL Reporting Verb
Convert to indirect speech: The teacher said to the students, "You must submit your homework on time."
Options:
a) The teacher told the students that they must submit their homework on time.
b) The teacher said to the students that you must submit your homework on time.
c) The teacher told the students that they must submitted their homework on time.
d) The teacher told to the students that they must submit their homework on time.
Options:
a) The teacher told the students that they must submit their homework on time.
b) The teacher said to the students that you must submit your homework on time.
c) The teacher told the students that they must submitted their homework on time.
d) The teacher told to the students that they must submit their homework on time.
Answer: a) The teacher told the students that they must submit their homework on time.
"Said to" → "told". Pronoun "you" → "they", "your" → "their". "Must" does not change in indirect speech (modal remains unchanged).
"Said to" → "told". Pronoun "you" → "they", "your" → "their". "Must" does not change in indirect speech (modal remains unchanged).
Changes in Tense
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech shifts back according to this table:
| Direct Speech Tense | Indirect Speech Tense | Example (Direct → Indirect) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | Simple Past | "I eat." → He said that he ate. |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous | "I am eating." → He said that he was eating. |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect | "I have eaten." → He said that he had eaten. |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous | "I have been eating." → He said that he had been eating. |
| Simple Past | Past Perfect | "I ate." → He said that he had eaten. |
| Past Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous | "I was eating." → He said that he had been eating. |
| Past Perfect | Past Perfect (no change) | "I had eaten." → He said that he had eaten. |
| Simple Future (will) | would | "I will eat." → He said that he would eat. |
| Future Continuous | would be + V-ing | "I will be eating." → He said that he would be eating. |
| Future Perfect | would have + V3 | "I will have eaten." → He said that he would have eaten. |
SSC CGL Exception — Universal Truths
Tense does NOT change if the reported speech expresses a universal truth, a habitual fact, or a historical fact. Example: The teacher said, "The Earth revolves around the Sun." → The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun. (No backshift)
Example 11 — SSC CGL Tense Backshift
Convert to indirect speech: Ravi said, "I was watching a movie when you called."
Options:
a) Ravi said that he was watching a movie when I called.
b) Ravi said that he had been watching a movie when I had called.
c) Ravi said that he had been watching a movie when I called.
d) Ravi said that he was watching a movie when I had called.
Options:
a) Ravi said that he was watching a movie when I called.
b) Ravi said that he had been watching a movie when I had called.
c) Ravi said that he had been watching a movie when I called.
d) Ravi said that he was watching a movie when I had called.
Answer: c) Ravi said that he had been watching a movie when I called.
Past Continuous ("was watching") → Past Perfect Continuous ("had been watching"). Past tense ("called") can remain unchanged or change to Past Perfect if needed for clarity.
Past Continuous ("was watching") → Past Perfect Continuous ("had been watching"). Past tense ("called") can remain unchanged or change to Past Perfect if needed for clarity.
Changes in Pronouns
Pronouns in the reported speech change according to the relationship between the reporter, the speaker, and the listener.
| Pronoun in Direct | Changes to | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | he / she (matches subject of reporting verb) | He said, "I am tired." → He said that he was tired. |
| we | they | They said, "We are coming." → They said that they were coming. |
| my | his / her | She said, "My book is lost." → She said that her book was lost. |
| our | their | He said, "Our team won." → He said that their team had won. |
| you | I / me / we / us / they / them (depends on listener) | He said to me, "You are right." → He told me that I was right. |
| your | my / our / his / her / their | She said to him, "Your car is ready." → She told him that his car was ready. |
| me | him / her | He said, "Call me." → He said to call him. |
| us | them | She said, "Help us." → She asked to help them. |
SSC CGL Tip — Pronoun Shift
SSC CGL often tests the pronoun "you" in indirect speech. Remember: "you" changes based on who the listener is. If the speaker says "you" to me, it becomes "I/me" when I report it. If said to a third person, it becomes "he/him" or "she/her".
Example 12 — SSC CGL Pronoun Change
Convert to indirect speech: Mohan said to Sita, "I will help you with your project."
Options:
a) Mohan told Sita that he will help you with your project.
b) Mohan told Sita that I will help you with your project.
c) Mohan told Sita that he would help her with her project.
d) Mohan told Sita that I would help her with her project.
Options:
a) Mohan told Sita that he will help you with your project.
b) Mohan told Sita that I will help you with your project.
c) Mohan told Sita that he would help her with her project.
d) Mohan told Sita that I would help her with her project.
Answer: c) Mohan told Sita that he would help her with her project.
"I" (Mohan) → he; "you" (Sita) → her; "your" → her; "will" → would.
"I" (Mohan) → he; "you" (Sita) → her; "your" → her; "will" → would.
Changes in Time & Place
Adverbs of time and place change in indirect speech to reflect the shift from the speaker's context to the reporter's context.
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| now | then |
| here | there |
| today | that day |
| tonight | that night |
| yesterday | the previous day / the day before |
| tomorrow | the next day / the following day |
| last week | the previous week / the week before |
| next week | the following week / the week after |
| ago | before |
| thus | so / in that way |
| this (time) | that |
| these (days) | those |
| hence | thence |
| hither | thither |
SSC CGL Trick — Time Words
In SSC CGL, time-word changes are tested by presenting a direct sentence with "yesterday" / "tomorrow" / "today" and expecting the correct indirect equivalent. Memorize the pairs: yesterday → the previous day, tomorrow → the next day, today → that day.
Example 13 — SSC CGL Time Change
Convert to indirect speech: He said, "I met her yesterday."
Options:
a) He said that he met her yesterday.
b) He said that he had met her the previous day.
c) He said that he had met her yesterday.
d) He said that he met her the previous day.
Options:
a) He said that he met her yesterday.
b) He said that he had met her the previous day.
c) He said that he had met her yesterday.
d) He said that he met her the previous day.
Answer: b) He said that he had met her the previous day.
Simple Past ("met") → Past Perfect ("had met"). "Yesterday" → "the previous day".
Simple Past ("met") → Past Perfect ("had met"). "Yesterday" → "the previous day".
Interrogative Sentences
For questions in indirect speech, the word order changes from question order to statement order. The question mark is removed.
| Question Type | Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No (with helping verb) | He said, "Do you like coffee?" | He asked if/whether I liked coffee. |
| Yes/No (present tense) | She said, "Is he your brother?" | She asked if/whether he was my brother. |
| Yes/No (past tense) | He said, "Did she call you?" | He asked if/whether she had called me. |
| WH- Question | He said, "Where do you live?" | He asked where I lived. |
| WH- Question | She said, "What are you doing?" | She asked what I was doing. |
| WH- Question (who) | He said, "Who is she?" | He asked who she was. |
SSC CGL Warning — Word Order
A common SSC CGL trap: in indirect questions, the word order must be subject + verb (statement order), NOT question order. Example: "He asked where I lived" (NOT "where did I live"). Always check the word order in the options.
Example 14 — SSC CGL Interrogative
Convert to indirect speech: She said to me, "Have you finished your assignment?"
Options:
a) She asked me if you have finished your assignment.
b) She asked me if I had finished my assignment.
c) She asked me if I have finished my assignment.
d) She asked me that I had finished my assignment.
Options:
a) She asked me if you have finished your assignment.
b) She asked me if I had finished my assignment.
c) She asked me if I have finished my assignment.
d) She asked me that I had finished my assignment.
Answer: b) She asked me if I had finished my assignment.
Yes/No question → use "if/whether". Present Perfect ("have finished") → Past Perfect ("had finished"). "You" → "I"; "your" → "my".
Yes/No question → use "if/whether". Present Perfect ("have finished") → Past Perfect ("had finished"). "You" → "I"; "your" → "my".
Imperative Sentences in Narration
Imperatives (commands, requests, advice, suggestions, prohibitions) follow the pattern: reporting verb + object + to-infinitive / not + to-infinitive.
| Type | Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Command | "Stand up!" he said. | He ordered to stand up. / He ordered me to stand up. |
| Request | "Please help me," she said. | She requested to help her. / She requested me to help her. |
| Advice | "Consult a doctor," he said. | He advised to consult a doctor. / He advised me to consult a doctor. |
| Suggestion (let's) | "Let's go for a walk," he said. | He suggested that we should go for a walk. / He proposed going for a walk. |
| Prohibition | "Don't smoke here," she said. | She forbade smoking there. / She said not to smoke there. |
| Negative Imperative | "Do not run," he said. | He warned not to run. |
Example 15 — SSC CGL Imperative Narration
Convert to indirect speech: The captain said to the soldiers, "Do not retreat under any circumstances."
Options:
a) The captain ordered the soldiers not to retreat under any circumstances.
b) The captain told the soldiers do not retreat under any circumstances.
c) The captain said to the soldiers not to retreat under any circumstances.
d) The captain forbade the soldiers to retreat under any circumstances.
Options:
a) The captain ordered the soldiers not to retreat under any circumstances.
b) The captain told the soldiers do not retreat under any circumstances.
c) The captain said to the soldiers not to retreat under any circumstances.
d) The captain forbade the soldiers to retreat under any circumstances.
Answer: a) The captain ordered the soldiers not to retreat under any circumstances.
Negative command: said to + object → ordered + object + not + to + V1.
Negative command: said to + object → ordered + object + not + to + V1.
Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions — joy, sorrow, surprise, disgust. They use reporting verbs like exclaimed, cried out, applauded, etc., with appropriate emotion words.
| Emotion | Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Joy | "What a beautiful dress!" she said. | She exclaimed with joy that it was a very beautiful dress. |
| Sorrow | "Alas! I failed the exam," he said. | He exclaimed with sorrow that he had failed the exam. |
| Surprise | "What! She won the lottery!" he said. | He exclaimed with surprise that she had won the lottery. |
| Contempt / Disgust | "How dare you speak to me like that!" she said. | She exclaimed with contempt that I dared to speak to her like that. |
| Applause / Wish | "How brave of you!" they said. | They applauded him for his bravery. / They exclaimed that it was very brave of him. |
SSC CGL Pattern — Exclamatory
SSC CGL converts "What a/an + adj + noun!" and "How + adj/adv!" to "very" in indirect speech. Example: "What a pretty girl!" → He exclaimed that she was a very pretty girl. "How beautiful!" → He exclaimed that it was very beautiful.
Example 16 — SSC CGL Exclamatory
Convert to indirect speech: She said, "How charming the sunset is!"
Options:
a) She exclaimed that the sunset is very charming.
b) She exclaimed that the sunset was very charming.
c) She exclaimed that how charming the sunset was.
d) She said that the sunset was very charming.
Options:
a) She exclaimed that the sunset is very charming.
b) She exclaimed that the sunset was very charming.
c) She exclaimed that how charming the sunset was.
d) She said that the sunset was very charming.
Answer: b) She exclaimed that the sunset was very charming.
"How charming" → "very charming". Present tense ("is") → Past tense ("was").
"How charming" → "very charming". Present tense ("is") → Past tense ("was").
3. SSC CGL Error Patterns
Common Voice Errors in SSC CGL
The following error patterns appear frequently in SSC CGL Tier 2 "Sentence Improvement" and "Spot the Error" sections.
| Error Type | Wrong (SSC Trap) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Missing auxiliary in passive | The work completed on time. | The work was completed on time. |
| Wrong tense auxiliary | The letter is written yesterday. | The letter was written yesterday. |
| Missing preposition | The matter was looked into. | The matter was looked into. |
| Wrong form of be-verb | They are been informed. | They are being informed. |
| Active form in passive structure | The cake was ate by the child. | The cake was eaten by the child. |
| Unnecessary agent | The house was built by him by himself. | The house was built by him. |
| Let construction error | Let the work to be done. | Let the work be done. |
SSC CGL Error Pattern 1
Identify the error: The new bridge is building across the river.
Options:
a) The new bridge
b) is building
c) across the river
d) No error
Options:
a) The new bridge
b) is building
c) across the river
d) No error
Answer: b) is building → is being built.
A bridge cannot build itself; it must be built by someone. Use passive voice: "is being built".
A bridge cannot build itself; it must be built by someone. Use passive voice: "is being built".
SSC CGL Error Pattern 2
Identify the error: It is time that the truth is told.
Options:
a) It is time
b) that the truth
c) is told
d) No error
Options:
a) It is time
b) that the truth
c) is told
d) No error
Answer: c) is told → was told.
After "It is time that", we use Simple Past in passive: "was told".
After "It is time that", we use Simple Past in passive: "was told".
SSC CGL Error Pattern 3
Identify the error: He was charged for murder.
Options:
a) He was
b) charged for
c) murder
d) No error
Options:
a) He was
b) charged for
c) murder
d) No error
Answer: b) charged for → charged with.
The correct preposition after "charged" (in legal context) is "with", not "for".
The correct preposition after "charged" (in legal context) is "with", not "for".
Common Narration Errors in SSC CGL
| Error Type | Wrong (SSC Trap) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| No tense backshift | He said that he is tired. | He said that he was tired. |
| Wrong conjunction | He asked that I was coming. | He asked if/whether I was coming. |
| Question word order retained | He asked where did I live. | He asked where I lived. |
| Pronoun not changed | She said that I was going. | She said that she was going. |
| Said to → told (no object) | He told that he was busy. | He told me that he was busy. / He said that he was busy. |
| Universal truth backshifted | The teacher said that the Earth revolved around the Sun. | The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun. |
| "that" omitted in statements | He said he was tired. | He said that he was tired. (optional but safer) |
SSC CGL Error Pattern 4 (Narration)
Identify the error: The judge asked the accused why did he commit the crime.
Options:
a) The judge asked
b) the accused
c) why did he commit the crime
d) No error
Options:
a) The judge asked
b) the accused
c) why did he commit the crime
d) No error
Answer: c) why did he commit the crime → why he had committed the crime.
Two errors: (1) question word order → statement order, (2) Simple Past → Past Perfect.
Two errors: (1) question word order → statement order, (2) Simple Past → Past Perfect.
SSC CGL Error Pattern 5 (Narration)
Identify the error: My father told that honesty is the best policy.
Options:
a) My father told
b) that honesty
c) is the best policy
d) No error
Options:
a) My father told
b) that honesty
c) is the best policy
d) No error
Answer: a) My father told → My father said.
"Told" requires an object (told me / told us / told him). Without an object, use "said".
"Told" requires an object (told me / told us / told him). Without an object, use "said".
Quick Revision — SSC CGL Active-Passive Cheat Sheet
Keep this summary handy for last-minute revision before the exam:
| Active Component | Passive Equivalent |
|---|---|
| V1 (write) | is/am/are + V3 (is written) |
| V2 (wrote) | was/were + V3 (was written) |
| will + V1 | will be + V3 |
| is/am/are + V-ing | is/am/are being + V3 |
| was/were + V-ing | was/were being + V3 |
| has/have + V3 | has/have been + V3 |
| had + V3 | had been + V3 |
| will have + V3 | will have been + V3 |
| modal + V1 | modal + be + V3 |
| modal + have + V3 | modal + have been + V3 |
Quick Revision — Direct to Indirect Cheat Sheet
| Change Category | Direct → Indirect |
|---|---|
| Reporting verb (statement) | said → said that / said to → told + object + that |
| Reporting verb (question) | said → asked / enquired / inquired |
| Reporting verb (command) | said → ordered / commanded / advised + object + to |
| Conjunction (statement) | that |
| Conjunction (Yes/No Q) | if / whether |
| Conjunction (WH- Q) | retain WH-word |
| Present → Past | is → was, has → had, do → did |
| Past → Past Perfect | was → had been, did → had done |
| will → would | will → would, shall → should |
| Pronoun (1st person) | matches subject of reporting verb |
| Pronoun (2nd person) | matches object of reporting verb |
| Time words | now→then, today→that day, yesterday→the previous day, tomorrow→the next day |
| Place words | here→there, this→that |
| Universal truth | NO tense change |
SSC CGL Final Tip — Exam Strategy
(1) In voice questions, first identify the tense / modal, then check the auxiliary + V3 pattern. (2) In narration, check the reporting verb tense first — if PAST, expect backshift. (3) Eliminate options with wrong prepositions, wrong word order, or unchanged pronouns. (4) In SSC CGL Tier 2, you typically get 2-3 voice questions and 2-3 narration questions per shift — aim for 100% accuracy as these are rule-based.