two years ago/before

[joham]

Yesterday he told me that he had met my uncle two years ____ (before/ago).
The given answer is 'before'. I suspect 'ago' is ok too, with a tolerance of just one day for two years. Am I right?

Could I ask native speakers to help me please? Thank you in advance.

[engee30]

Yesterday he told me that he had met my uncle two years ____ (before/ago).
The given answer is 'before'. I suspect 'ago' is ok too, with a tolerance of just one day for two years. Am I right?

Could I ask native speakers to help me please? Thank you in advance.

Just stick to the rules of reported speech, and you won't be lost in any exam.

[joham]

Just stick to the rules of reported speech, and you won't be lost in any exam.

Thanks, engee30. I don't have to take any exam. I'm just learning real English. And even in exams, I would have chosen 'ago'. I would have chosen to go against the rules in a sentence like this. So I hope native speakers can make me feel totally certain of it.
Thank you again.

[bhaisahab]

Thanks, engee30. I don't have to take any exam. I'm just learning real English. And even in exams, I would have chosen 'ago'. I would have chosen to go against the rules in a sentence like this. So I hope native speakers can make me feel totally certain of it.
Thank you again.

As you know 'before' is correct, but you are right in assuming that 'ago' would often be used.