Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They had oiled the keels of their long craft to maker them swifter.
From Time Magazine Archive
Buck Sirs: "In San Francisco, Presbyterian Dr. John Hayes Creighton, onetime chaplain, announced that he had oiled his army rifle."
From Time Magazine Archive
She’d thought ahead—after dinner she had oiled the hinge with a dab of lard.
From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper
Gemstones glittered on every finger, and his man had oiled his forked yellow beard until it shone like real gold.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
She had oiled his hair while I kept away and wondered what Papa would say if he knew.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
