was given/had been given

"At the hearing only few patients recalled being told about the possible side effects. It seems that the rest was given the drug without any warning." Is it incorrect to say "had been given"? Because first the patients had been given the drug and after that the hearing was conducted.

Yes, you can, but it's not needed. The sequence is clear. I'm actually more troubled by the singular "was" when it was clearly many patients being referred to by "the rest."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barnej0096

"At the hearing, only a few patients recalled being told about the possible side effects. It seems that the rest was were given the drug without any warning." Is it incorrect to say "had been given"? Because first the patients had been given the drug and after that the hearing was conducted.

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I have made three amendments to the original piece in red.