@@InsightstoEnglish I'm really thankful for how the sequence was shown numerically in the context. Most exercises I did were about how to apply it in a single sentence, never was I taught to think in a paragraph or a story. This video really clears things up a lot:D
If the important thing that happened two years ago was the rain, then use "fell". But if the important thing was something else that happened after the rain (and perhaps because of it), then use "had fallen". It's not just about what's in the sentence, but about the context, which could include many sentences before and after this one. If this is truly a standalone sentence for some reason, use Past Simple ("fell").
Thanks for the video. Could you possibly help me understand why this is incorrect: “A 1972 agreement reduced the amount of phosphates that they had been allowed to dump.” Why is “had been allowed” not referring to their previous ability?
Unfortunately, this method isn't fool-proof. The point is to note when the verbs are set further back in time relative to the context. So for your example, it would probably help to look at the sentence(s) before this one. Then you can jot down the numbers of a full paragraph, page, etc. instead of each individual sentence.
I have a doubt, So do we say 'They were so shocked when their name was announced because they had no idea that they were nominated" Or "They were so shocked when their name was announced because they had no idea that they had been nominated" The nomination happened few moments before the announcement.
I think the second sentences is definitely correct as Long as an action happened in the super past which is they “had been nominated” before two series of completed actions that happened in the past simple therefore the second sentences is definitely correct
