"finsihed" vs "had finished"

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

  1. After John had finished his dinner, he watched television.

  2. After John finished his dinner, he watched television.

Which sentence is correct? If ‘had’ obligatory?

Thanks in advance.

2

Hi,

A purist would choose ‘had finished’ since it was the dinner first and television next. In your sentence I don’t think the time difference is that significant. The past perfect tense is better used when the time sequence is more important.

Alan

3

Many thanks, Alan.