alleryStart learning →Report: "We finished the work," they said.
AThey said we had finished the work.
BThey said that they had finished the work.
CThey said they have finished the work.
DThey said they would finish the work.
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. They said that they had finished the work.
The simple past finished moves back to the past perfect, and we becomes they.
Keep practising Direct Indirect Speech
Browse all Direct Indirect Speech questions for SSC CGL, or explore more English topics.
Related questions
Which words are liable to change when speech is reported?A direct verb already in the past perfect, once reported, becomesIn the future-in-the-past, will and shall change toTense changes in reporting arise when the verb of saying is in theWhich situation favours keeping the original tense after "said"?Batman has said that he needs a key. No backshift occurs as the main verb is"I need a key," says Batman. "Needs" stays because the main verb isIn indirect speech, pronouns and place words suit the context of