In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". He claimed that he (have corrected) the ringing on both the clocks.?

Option 2 : Had corrected

The correct answer is 'Had corrected'

• According to grammar, the past perfect tense is used whenever 'The past perfect refers to a time earlier than before now. It is used to make it clear that one event happened before another in the past.'
• In the given sentence, the main clause 'he claimed' is in the past tense hence the subordinate clause is going to be the first instance which has happened hence it should be written in the past perfect tense because it is the past of past action.
• Let's see an example-
  • He was very tired because he hadn't slept well.

So the correct sentence is- He claimed that he had corrected the ringing on both the clocks.