"You left" versus "You had left"

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

Hi

One of my local grammar books says that only the second of the following sentences, according to the strict rules of grammar, is correct. I would like to know your opinion about the same, please.

1- Your husband called after you left.
2- Your husband called after you had left.

Tom

2

Hi Tom

I doubt that any native speaker would think it “wrong” or think you’d made a grammar mistake if you used the second sentence (other than an English teacher maybe ;)).

But the fact is, the use of the past perfect is completely unnecessary in that sentence and native speakers therefore wouldn’t use it. :lol:

Amy