Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech.
The newsreader said that he was there for a heartfelt apology for making such a comment.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1: The newsreader said, “I am here for a heartfelt apology for making such a comment.”
Changes required:
Conjunction: "that" is removed in direct speech.
Verb: "was" changes to "am" because the original statement was likely in present tense.
Tense: Reported speech in the past ("said that he was") changes to present ("am") in direct speech to reflect the actual words spoken.
Pronoun: "he" changes to "I", as the speaker is referring to himself.
Others: Quotation marks are added for direct speech.
Converted sentence:
The newsreader said, “I am here for a heartfelt apology for making such a comment.”
Hence, the chosen option is correct.