Simple Past or Past Perfect?

Question

Hi there.Which one is suitable for the blank here?It ……. cats and dogs for three days last week.a- had been rainingb- rainedThank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

First, what do you think?

Anonymous · Answer

I think both of them are possible. But I'm not sure. "For three days" and "last week" were used together so I'm a bit confused. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

KJinCali79 · Answer

A general rule, although it does not cover all uses, is that you use the simple past when referring to action at some time in the past, and use the past perfect when referring to action up to or before a certain time in the past or other past event.

Examples:

It rained cats and dogs last week. -- SIMPLE PAST
It had rained cats and dogs for three days before finally clearing up. -- PAST PERFECT
It had been raining cats and dogs for three days when the sun finally came out. -- PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
It was raining cats and dogs, but I decided to go outside anyway. -- PAST CONTINUOUS

In your example, I don't see a subsequent past action where the order of events matter, so I believe "rained" (simple past) fits best.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks KJin <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Simple Past or Past Perfect?

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