which one would be better to express my intention?

[EngLearner]

Hi All,

I want to tell someone to give a call to Mr. X and ask him if he called Mr y to get the information. Which one is best among below to express my intention.

"Could you please call Mr. X and ask if he has called Mr. Y"

"Could you please call Mr. X and ask if he had called Mr. Y"

Many thanks in advance.

A Learner.

[Conchita]

Welcome aboard, EngLearner!

The first sentence is the one I'd use in the given context:

'Could you please call Mr. X and ask if he has called Mr. Y?'.

[EngLearner]

Hi Conchita,

I am bit confused between these two sentences as both of them are refering to something which has happend in the past. As you have selected the first one, may I know why not the second one?

Thanks,
EngLearner.

PS: Please correct my mistakes, if any, in the post.

[Conchita]

The past perfect suggests the action (of calling Mr X) was completed before a moment in the past. Therefore, in order to justify the use of the past perfect in your example sentence, we would need to mention another past action or moment. For example:

Could you please call Mr X and ask if he had called Mr Y when/before he left the office yesterday. Further context should make it clear which one of them left the office, of course.

[EngLearner]

Hi Cochita,

Excellent!!! I am clear with it now.

Thanks a lot for your explanation.

Thanks,
EngLearner.

Ps: Please check for errors, if any, in my explanation.