Select the option that expresses the following sentence in indirect speech.
“I have not completed the assignment yet,” the student admitted.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. The student admitted that he/she hadn’t completed the assignment yet.
The direct speech 'have not completed' is present perfect negative.
In indirect speech with a past reporting verb (“admitted”), present perfect changes to past perfect → 'had not completed'.
The word 'yet' remains unchanged as it still refers to the time up to that point.
Pronouns change as needed (I → he/she).
Why others are incorrect:
'hasn’t completed' – Present perfect negative; incorrect with a past reporting verb.
'hadn’t been able to complete' – Changes meaning from “not done” to “not able to do,” which adds unnecessary detail.
'hasn't been able to complete' – Present perfect continuous form, wrong tense for past reporting.