Reported speech

[sivakaranlk]

Hello teachers & friends
i have a doubt from direct & indirect
Question
"My neighbour has a new car,"Bill said

My answer is
Bill said that his neighbour had a new car
& i have a other answer

Bill said that his neighbour has a new car

which one is correct?
can u explain?

[Casiopea]

Both are correct.

[1] Bill said that his neighbour had a new car.
[2] Bill said that his neighbour has a new car.

Present tense is often used in reported speech when what was said is reported soon after it was said. Like this,

Bill: My neighbour has a new car.
Sam: What was that? I couldn't hear you. A bus went by.
Pat: Bill said that his neighbour has a new car.

Does that help?