Question

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence in indirect speech:
Edison said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
Edison said that genius ___one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

• A. Is
• B. Was
• C. Be
• D. Will be

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Is

The given sentence is a statement.

According to the rules of narration and reporting, if the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the reported verb is changed into its corresponding past form. But this rule is not applicable for proverbs or universal truths. The tense of such statements remains unchanged.

Thus option A is the correct answer.

Options B,C,D are incorrect as they do not follow the rules of Narration and Reporting.