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

Hint: Indirect speech is a way of expressing the content of statements, questions, or other utterances, without even quoting them explicitly like direct speech. The indirect speech should not be confused with indirect speech acts.

Complete step by step answer:
To find out the correct option to complete the sentence in indirect speech, we first need to analyze all the options provided in the question:
Is: ‘Is’ is a verb that is used to indicate something that is due or destined to happen. It is the third person singular present of ‘be’.
Example:
“Construction is going to begin the next day.”

Was: ‘Was’ is a verb which is used with a past participle to form the passive voice. It is the first and third-person singular past of ‘be’.
Example:
“She was incredibly generous with her money, showering those she loved with gifts.”

Be: The verb ‘be’ is an irregular and defective verb, whose full conjugation derives from several originally distinct verbs. It is used to say something about a person, thing, or state, to show a permanent or temporary quality, state, job, etc.

Example-
“He used to be so hardworking when he was young.”

Will be: ‘Will be’ is used to talk about what is going to happen in the future, especially things that we are certain about or things that are planned.
Example-
“Clare will be five years old next month.”

So, the correct answer is “Option A”. The sentence will be Edison said that genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Although Edison said this statement in the past, as it is a fact, it will be in present.

Note:
Indirect speech is used to report what someone may have said, and so it is always used in the past tense.