Sequence of tenses

[Will17]

Hello!

Which is better here, the past simple or the past perfect?

"When I arrived, my father told me he was angry because the chemist said he didn't pay the bill/he hadn't paid the bill".


Thanks a lot for your help.

Will

[Jagrati]

Didn't pay the bill sounds vernacular

[5jj]

"When I arrived, my father told me he was angry because the chemist said he didn't pay the bill/he hadn't paid the bill".

Both are possible.

[Rover_KE]

'Didn't pay the bill' sounds vernacular.

Welcome to the forum, Jagrati.

Please read the Posting Guidelines – especially this bit:

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly at the top of your post.

​Rover