this year I am having terrible problems with the past perfect, I thought it was clear to me but now I doubt it.
Is it that rule correct?
Before + past simple + past perfect
By the time that + past simple + past perfect
after+ past perfect + past simple
as soon as + past perfect + past simple
e.g: Before / by the time she arrived, John had left.
after / as soon as John had left, she arrive.
can I change the order: it is "by the time that " used in the middle: JOhn had left by the time I arrived.
I have checked some grammar books but it is not clear to me. I need some confirmation. Please.