Bunuel wrote:
The reporter
said disappointedly that the spokesmen refuses to answer any further questions.
A. said disappointedly that the spokesmen refuses
B. disappointedly said that the spokesmen refused
C. said disappointedly that the spokesmen will refuse
D. said disappointing that the spokesmen refused
E. said disappointment that the spokesmen refused
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The reporter said disappointedly that the spokesmen refuses to answer any further questions.A. said disappointedly that the spokesmen refuses
Incorrect.
This answer choice is grammatically incorrect. In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (said), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past. However, refuses is in the Present tense.
What helps us identify this question as a Reported Speech question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:
Reported Speech with a reporting verb in Past tense
B. disappointedly said that the spokesmen refused
In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (said), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past (refused).C. said disappointedly that the spokesmen will refuse
Incorrect.
This answer choice is grammatically incorrect and repeats the original Reported Speech error. In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (said), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past. However, will refuse is in the Future tense.
What helps us identify this question as a Reported Speech question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:
Reported Speech with a reporting verb in Past tenseD. said disappointing that the spokesmen refused
Incorrect.
Although this answer choice corrects the original Reported Speech error by placing the conjugated verb refused in the Past tense, it is grammatically incorrect. An adjective (disappointing) cannot describe a verb (said). Adjectives can only describe nouns.
An adverb should be used to describe a verb.E. said disappointment that the spokesmen refused
Incorrect.
Although this answer choice corrects the original Reported Speech error by placing the conjugated verb refused in the Past tense, it is grammatically incorrect. A noun (disappointment) cannot describe a verb (said). An adverb should be used to describe a verb.