Hi, tdol.
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If the order is obvious, we often just use the past, especially in informal English. With before and after, for instance, where the order is obvious, we often stick with the past simple.
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I see.
If the order is obvious,
"I lost the umbrella which I had bought the day before." and "I lost the umbrella which I bought the day before." have the same meaning.
And, "He left home after he had finished his homework." and "He left home after he finished his homework." have the same meaning.
But, "He knew that my mother had been a nurse." could not be "He knew that my mother was a nurse." even if the order is obvious.
Right?
Thank you for your time.
Astro-D :)