Past Perfect and Past Simple hi, i want to ask you something. I am reading now that : " If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when "before" or "after" is used in the sentence. The words "before" and "after" actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional." so in this logic, can we say '' We had that car for ten years before it broke down." instead of "We had had that car for ten years before it broke down." ? Also " George repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license" and "George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license" , thanks!