Had + 3rd form (irregular verbs) /verb + ed (regular verbs)Earlier action in the past:
I had cleaned the table before he came in.
Before he came in, I had cleaned the table.
He came in after I had cleaned the table.
- Earlier action/First action in the past = past perfect
- Later action/Second action in the past = past simple
past perfect past simple ______________X___________________X_______________________________now