Quite a few types of fruit trees died off because consumer demand only favoured very sweet fruits. Quite a few types of fruit trees died off because consumer demand only favoured very sweet fruits.

favoured - British English favored - American English

The storm really did a number on the old barn, it i's totally broken now. The storm really did a number on the old barn, it's totally broken now.

The storm really did a number on the old barn, it i's totally broken now. The storm really did a number on the old barn, it's totally broken now.

I could proofve that he'd lied, but he still flat-out denied it. I could prove that he'd lied, but he still flat-out denied it.

I could proofve that he'd lied but he still flat-out denied it. I could prove that he lied but he still flat-out denied it.

"He'd lied" isn't wrong but is a little more than necessary here.