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A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The manager said that the employees were adapting to the new system quickly.

1. “The employees are adapting to the new system quickly,” said the manager.
2. “The employees were adapting to the new system quickly,” said the manager.
3. “The employees adapted to the new system quickly,” said the manager.
4. “The employees had adapted to the new system quickly,” said the manager.

Correct answer: “The employees were adapting to the new system quickly,” said the manager.

Solution

In indirect speech, "were adapting" is the past continuous form reported by the manager. In direct speech, this remains "were adapting" because the original statement is being quoted exactly as spoken. The reporting verb stays in the past: said the manager.

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