Choose the indirect speech of this sentence.
He said, "I was reading a novel."

He said that he had been reading a novel.Correct answerYour answerHe said that he was being reading a novel.Correct answerYour answerHe said that he has been reading a novel.Correct answerYour answerHe said that I had been reading a novel.Correct answerYour answer

Show the answer and explanation

CorrectNot quiteAnswer A

Correct answer: A

The past continuous "was reading" moves back to the past perfect continuous: "he had been reading".

Worth noting

"Has been reading" is present perfect, which does not fit after the past "said".

Concept: The past continuous in reported speech
Typical timeTypical: 45 s
Your timeYours: —

The rule this testsDirect and indirect speech

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Ten questions from Voice and narration, at your own pace.

Choose the indirect speech of this sentence.He said, "I was reading a novel."

Explanation

Choose the indirect speech of this sentence.
He said, "I was reading a novel."