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A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The envoy said that only after the truce would talks commence.

1. “Talks commence only after the truce,” said the envoy.
2. “Only after the truce, talks would commence,” said the envoy.
3. “Only after the truce will talks commence,” said the envoy.
4. “Talks would commence once the truce is declared,” said the envoy.

Correct answer: “Only after the truce will talks commence,” said the envoy.

Solution

In indirect speech, “would” often represents future tense from a past perspective. Converting it back to direct speech gives “will talks commence” after the introductory phrase.

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