In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in the Indirect/Direct speech.
Akash said, "Mahesh has gone home."
Akash said that Mahesh has gone home.
Akash said then Mahesh had gone home.
Akash said then Mahesh has gone home.
Akash said that Mahesh had gone home.
Correct Answer: Akash said that Mahesh had gone home.
When converting from Direct to Indirect speech, all present tenses are converted into past tense. ‘Said then’ is incorrect as direct to indirect conversions use either ‘said that’ or ‘told’, in the absence of an exclamation. Considering the given rules, Sentence 4 is the correct option.