Question

my friend said to me,"I cannot help you at this time,"​

Answer 1

My friend told me that he could not help me at that time.

hope it may help you.

Answer 2

My friend said to me,"I cannot help you at this time,"

• My friend told me that he/she cannot help me at that time.

 ${\underline{\sf{\underline{Extra\:Data}}}}$

An action or information can be expressed in sentence.

In English the sentence are active or passive,Direct or Indirect.

The actual words of the speaker with punctuation is called $\sf{Direct\:speech}$

Ex:- He said , "I am busy now".

★The speakers were directed by someone in his or her words.

★Since the exact words of the speaker not reproduced the inverted commas are removed.

★The introductory verb is said or told

The meaning of the substance of the speakers word is called $\sf{Indirect\:speech}$

Ex:- He said he was busy then.

★ The exact words of the speaker are repeated.

★ The words of the speaker and enclosed within inverted commas.

★The introductory verb is said .