Question:medium

Choose the correct indirect narration.
Riya said, “I will complete the project tomorrow.”

Show Hint

Always remember the "Backshift." If the reporting verb is in the past ("said"), the verbs inside the quotes must move one step back into the past (will $\rightarrow$ would, can $\rightarrow$ could).
Updated On: May 30, 2026
  • Riya said that she will complete the project tomorrow.
  • Riya said that she would complete the project the next day.
  • Riya said that she completed the project tomorrow.
  • Riya said she would have completed the project the next day.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires converting Direct Speech into Indirect (Reported) Speech.
This involves three major shifts:
1. Shift of Pronouns.
2. Back-shifting of Tenses (if the reporting verb is in the past).
3. Changing of time/place expressions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the components of the direct speech:
- Reporting Verb: "said" (Past Tense). This means we must change the tense of the reported part.
- Subject of the Quote: "I" (First person).
- Verb of the Quote: "will complete" (Future).
- Time expression: "tomorrow."
1. Rules for Conversion:
- Pronoun: The "I" refers to Riya (the speaker). So, "I" becomes "she."
- Tense: "Will" changes to "would" when reported in the past.
- Time: "Tomorrow" changes to "the next day" or "the following day" because the report is happening at a different time from the original statement.
- Conjunction: The comma and quotes are replaced by "that."
2. Evaluating the Options:
- Option (A): Keeps "will" and "tomorrow." This fails the tense and time-shift rules.
- Option (B): Changes "I" $\rightarrow$ "she," "will" $\rightarrow$ "would," and "tomorrow" $\rightarrow$ "the next day." This is perfectly correct.
- Option (C): Changes "will" to "completed" (Simple Past). This incorrectly changes the meaning from a future intention to a past finished action.
- Option (D): Uses "would have completed." This is the Future Perfect in the past, which is used for hypothetical past situations, not simple future reports.
Step 3: Final Answer:
By applying the standard rules of Narration (Pronoun, Tense, and Time shift), Option (B) is the only grammatically sound choice.
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