[Grammar] bought or Had bought

[Will17]

Hello,

Can the past simple and past perfect be used interchangeably in this case, please? :

"I don't know when they did it but she told me that they bought/had bought a house in Paris".

Thank you very much for your help.
Will

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello,

Can the past simple and past perfect be used interchangeably in this case, please? :

"I don't know when they did it but she told me that they bought/had bought a house in Paris".

Thank you very much for your help.
Will

I wouldn't, I'd use past perfect.

 

[5jj]

As I frequently point out in this forum, native speakers use the past perfect less than grammars and course books suggest they do. However, there are times when it is the appropriate form. I agree with bhai - this is one of those times.