Nostradamus (had) predicted ...

[ademoglu]

Hi,

http://alexnoudelman.com/top-10-nostradamus-predictions-for-2016/

''Nostradamus predicted that Obama would be victorious in the 2013 elections, but he...''

I'd like to ask if we can say 'had predicted' instead of 'predicted.'

Thanks.

 

[GoesStation]

You could in the right context.

It's interesting that Nostradamus predicted someone's victory in elections that didn't occur.

 

[tedmc]

I think the past perfect is unnecessary because it is understood that the prediction came before the happening.

 

[Tdol]

It's unnecessary, but not incorrect IMO. However, we tend not to use the past perfect when we don't have to, so it's more natural in the original.