Direct Speech: "Happy New Year"
When converting wishes and greetings from direct to indirect speech, we follow this pattern:
Remove quotation marks
Use the reporting verb "wished" (since it's a greeting/wish)
Add the indirect object (me/him/her/them)
Convert the greeting into a noun phrase
Analysis of Options:
Option A: "and said that it was happy new year" - Incorrect. This uses "said" instead of "wished" and the structure is grammatically awkward.
Option B: "and exclaimed it was a happy new year" - Incorrect. While "exclaimed" could work for exclamatory sentences, it's not the most appropriate verb for wishes/greetings.
Option C: "and pointed out a happy new year" - Incorrect. "Pointed out" is used for drawing attention to facts, not for conveying wishes.
Option D: "a happy new year" - Correct. The complete sentence would be: "He wished me a happy new year." This is the standard and most natural way to report wishes and greetings in indirect speech.
Rule to Remember:
When reporting wishes like "Happy Birthday," "Happy New Year," "Good Luck," etc., use:
Subject + wished + indirect object + noun phrase
Example: "Good luck!" → He wished me good luck.