Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The corresponding letter of that part is the answer. If the given sentence is grammatically and contextually correct, then choose option “No error” as answer. (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)

She asked me (A) / if I can help her (B) / move the furniture (C) / this weekend. (D) / No Error (E)

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (B).

Error Analysis

Part (B): "...if I can help her..."

The error lies in the use of the modal verb "can." Since the main verb of the sentence ("asked") is in the past tense, the subordinate clause must also reflect a past perspective to maintain tense consistency. In reported speech or indirect questions, "can" should be changed to its past form, "could."

Grammar Rule: Sequence of Tenses

When the reporting verb (the verb that introduces the statement or question) is in the past tense, the verbs in the following clause usually shift to a corresponding past form.

• Direct Speech: She asked, "Can you help me?"
• Indirect Speech: She asked me if I could help her.

Why the other parts are correct:

• (A): "She asked me" is the correct simple past reporting phrase.
• (C): "move the furniture" is correct. After the verb "help," you can use either the bare infinitive (move) or the to-infinitive (to move).
• (D): "this weekend" is a correct time expression indicating the specific period she is asking about.

Corrected Sentence:

She asked me (A) if I could help her (B) move the furniture (C) this weekend (D).