UPSC CDS 1 2022 English Paper

The correct answer is 'if I tried.'
Key Points
- If the other clause is mentioning something that happened in the past, then If clause with past indefinite tense will be used.
- We often use if to introduce possible or impossible situations or conditions and their results.
- The situations or conditions can be real, imagined, or uncertain.
- Example: I usually make a sandwich to take to work if I have enough time.
- Hence, 'if I tried' should be used to make the sentence grammatically correct.
- Correct Sentence: I couldn't be angry with him if I tried.