Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect voice.
The tour guide said, 'We have been walking for hours, but the ruins we have been looking for are just around this corner, and we will be there in a few minutes.'
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
To change a sentence from direct to indirect speech, several adjustments must be made:
Reporting Verb: The reporting verb 'said' remains the same.
Conjunction: The direct quote is introduced by the conjunction 'that'.
Pronouns: The first-person pronoun 'We' changes to the third-person pronoun 'they' to reflect the perspective of the reporter.
Tense Change: The present perfect continuous tense ('have been walking', 'have been looking') changes to the past perfect continuous tense ('had been walking', 'had been looking'). The future tense ('will be') changes to the conditional tense ('would be').
Time and Place Adverbs: The demonstrative 'this' changes to 'that' when reported at a later time or different location.
Option A correctly applies all these rules.