Question:medium

A part of the sentence is underlined which may contain an error. Replace the underlined part with the right choice.

He said that he is angry with us because we did not applaud his speech.

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A past reporting verb pushes present tense one step back into the past.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2026
  • He said that he has been angry.
  • He said that he was angry
  • He said that he had been angry.
  • He said that he is angry.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The rule of sequence of tenses governs this sentence. Once the main verb said sits in the past, the reported idea cannot stay in the present, so is angry has to become was angry.

  • He said that he was angry works because simple past matches the past reporting verb and keeps the plain meaning that he felt angry at that time.
  • He said that he has been angry breaks the rule by using present perfect after a past verb.
  • He said that he had been angry over-corrects into past perfect and hints the anger had already ended.
  • He said that he is angry leaves the present tense untouched, which is the original error.

Backshifting from is to was gives the correct He said that he was angry.

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