Explanation

• Correct sentence: He said that he was busy then.
• The reporting verb "said" is in past tense, so the tense in the reported speech changes.
• "Am" changes to "was", and "now" changes to "then".
• So, "I am busy now" becomes "he was busy then" in indirect speech.

Explanation

• Correct narration: Ali said that he had been preparing for the examination for two months.
• The present perfect continuous tense (“have been preparing”) usually changes to the past perfect continuous tense (“had been preparing”) in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past.
• The pronoun “I” changes to “he” because Ali is reporting his own statement.

Last verified on 11-10-2026

Explanation

• Correct narration: He asked me if I was coming with him.
• A yes/no question changes to an indirect question using if or whether.
• The present continuous tense “are coming” changes to the past continuous “was coming” because the reporting verb “said” is in the past.
• Pronouns change according to the speaker and listener: “you” → “I” and “me” → “him” (referring to the original speaker).

Last verified on 11-10-2026

Explanation

• Correct narration: The pilot told the passengers not to panic but to tighten their seat belts.
• “Please don’t” changes to “not to” when a negative request or command is reported.
• “Your” changes to “their” because the pilot is addressing the passengers.
• The correct structure is told + object + not to / to + verb.

Last verified on 11-10-2026

Explanation

• Correct narration: He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
• “Bravo!” expresses praise or approval, so it changes to “applauded him” in indirect speech.
• “You” changes to “him” according to the person being addressed, and “have done” (present perfect) changes to “had done” (past perfect).

Last verified on 11-10-2026