Past Simple and Past Perfect

[konungursvia]

Yes, though arguably the state of not having finished eating existed just before and just after the plate being taken away.

This also works, retrospectively:

"He was looking rather miffed: The waiter had taken the plate away before he finished eating."

This is possible if there was other food, and he continued to eat, miffed, from the bread basket. The assumption that the plate was last opportunity to eat is... just an assumption.

[bhaisahab]

Yes, though arguably the state of not having finished eating existed just before and just after the plate being taken away.

This also works, retrospectively:

"He was looking rather miffed: The waiter had taken the plate away before he finished eating."

This is possible if there was other food, and he continued to eat, miffed, from the bread basket. The assumption that the plate was last opportunity to eat is... just an assumption.

Angels and pinheads spring to mind.