Choose the correct indirect narration of the following statement from the given alternatives:
Risita says, “We were waving our hands at the passengers when the train passed.”
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer: Risita says that they were waving their hands at the passengers when the train passed.
Explanation
• Reporting Verb in Present Tense: When the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., says), the tense of the reported speech remains unchanged in indirect speech.
• Pronoun Changes: The first-person pronouns change according to the subject: We becomes they, and our becomes their.
• Tense Retention: The verb tenses (were waving and passed) stay exactly the same because the reporting verb is says.
• The conjunction that is used to replace the quotation marks.
Quick Tip: Never change the tense inside the quotation marks if the reporting verb is in the present (says/tells) or future (will say) tense.