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I am confused with present continous tense in reported speech do we need backshifting or not ? and if we do backshifting should we backshift the second part of the sentences? ( "when" part )

He said ‘I was having breakfast when you phoned me.’

1- He said that he was having breakfast when I phoned him.

2- He said that he had been having breakfast when I phoned him.

3- He said that he had been having breakfast when I had phoned him.

Which sentences should I use in reported speech ?

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I'm not a native speaker, but judging by the following examples, it looks like the number 2 is the right one.

Barbara said, “I didn’t realise it was midnight.” Barbara said she hadn’t realised it was midnight.

"I was waiting for the bus when he arrived." She said that she had been waiting for the bus when he arrived.

I hadn't travelled by underground before I came to London." She said that she hadn't travelled by underground before she came to London.

I was sleeping when Julie called." She said that she had been sleeping when Julie called.

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  • Yes, number 2 is the correct choice here.
    – TonyK
    Commented Aug 18, 2018 at 15:55

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