was on leave vs is on leave

[Winwin2011]

John: Is Janet on leave today?
B: She didn't tell me she was on leave.
C. She didn't tell me she is on leave.

Are both B & C above natural?

 

[5jj]

They are both possible.

 

[Winwin2011]

They are both possible.

May I know why they are both correct?

 

[5jj]

Backshifting in reported speech is (almost) always possible.
When the situation reported is still valid at the time of reporting, backshifting is optional.

 

[emsr2d2]

Bear in mind that native speakers rarely repeat large parts of what they've just been told/asked.

Is Janet on leave today?
She didn't tell me she was.

Is Janet on leave today?
Yes/No.

Is Janet on leave today?
I don't know.

 

[Winwin2011]

Bear in mind that native speakers rarely repeat large parts of what they've just been told/asked.

Is Janet on leave today?
She didn't tell me she was.

Is Janet on leave today?
Yes/No.

Is Janet on leave today?
I don't know.

Is it possible to say “She didn’t tell me she is”? I know that “reported speech” uses past tense.

 

[5jj]

Did you read post #4?