Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: I am sorry but I do not believe the story you have told me
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This sentence improvement question tests the correct tense and aspect for expressing a present state of belief. The original sentence uses will not believe, which is possible but less natural when we are talking about a present refusal to accept something as true. Competitive exams often check whether candidates can select the most appropriate present simple form for states of mind, especially with verbs like believe, know, understand, and like.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The original sentence is: I am sorry but I will not believe the story you have told me.
The speaker is expressing disbelief in a story that has already been told.
The event of telling is in the past (you have told me).
The focus is on the speaker's present state of mind about that story.
We must choose the version that sounds most natural in standard English.
Concept / Approach:
Stative verbs like believe, know, and understand usually take the simple present to express current states, not the future with will or progressive forms like am believing. When someone wants to say that they do not accept something as true at this moment, the correct form is I do not believe it. The future use I will not believe can suggest a deliberate decision or strong refusal with a future sense, which is not necessary here. Therefore we look for an option using do not believe in the present simple.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the state verb believe, which describes a mental state rather than a physical action.
Step 2: Examine option a: I am sorry but I do not believe the story you have told me. This uses the present simple do not believe, which correctly describes the current state of disbelief.
Step 3: Examine option b: I am sorry but I am not believed the story you have told me. This is ungrammatical, mixing passive and progressive forms incorrectly.
Step 4: Examine option c: I am sorry but I have not believed the story you have told me. Present perfect have not believed is awkward here and is not the usual way to state current disbelief about a specific story.
Step 5: Examine option d: No improvement is needed. This would keep will not believe, which sounds slightly off for a present state.
Step 6: Examine option e: I am sorry but I am not believing the story you have told me. Progressive aspect is rarely used with believe and sounds unnatural.
Step 7: Conclude that option a provides the clearest and most idiomatic sentence.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can compare with similar sentences: I do not believe your explanation or I do not believe what he says. In these examples, the simple present is used to express disbelief. Native speakers rarely say I am not believing your explanation. Likewise, in exam style corrections, replacing will not believe with do not believe is a standard improvement when the context is current and not about future refusal.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is grammatically incorrect because believed cannot follow am in this way.
Option c uses present perfect have not believed, which does not sound natural for belief about a specific, recently told story.
Option d keeps the less appropriate future will not believe, which suggests a deliberate future choice rather than a present state.
Option e incorrectly uses the progressive form am not believing with a stative verb.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often overlook the difference between stative and dynamic verbs and may accept progressive forms with verbs like believe, know, or understand. Another pitfall is assuming that will not always indicates a strong negative and is therefore more emphatic. Exam setters expect awareness that everyday statements of opinion and belief usually use the present simple. Practising with common verbs of thought and feeling helps avoid such errors.
Final Answer:
The best improved sentence is: I am sorry but I do not believe the story you have told me.
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