Past perfect

PAST PERFECT

start

WHAT IS IT?

The grammatical form used for an action that had already finished when another action happened. The past perfect is formed using “had” along with the past participle of the main verb (e.g., “I had run”).

USES

To describe a past event that occurred prior to another past event.

To refer to situations which have changed.

To talk about time up to a certain point in the past.

When we imagine a different past in a clause with if.

When expressing a condition and a result.

The past perfect formula

The formula for the past perfect tense is had + [past participle]. It doesn’t matter if the subject is singular or plural; the formula doesn’t change.

EXAMPLE OF regular verbS in the past perfect tense

EXAMPLE OF IRREGUALR verbS in the past perfect tense

EXAMPLES

Andrew had worked at the company for five years before he quit.

I had eaten at that restaurant many times before it closed.

I had learned the basics of algebra before I started trigonometry.

Pritha had read the book before she watched the film adaptation.

I had written the email before he apologized.

The thief had escaped when the police arrived.

EXAMPLES

Andrew had worked at the company for five years before he quit.

You had promised not to be late.

Nobody noticed that the chef had burned the turkey.

Kora and Jill had worked together for years before they became friends.

If you had asked me, I would have picked you up.

When I got home, I realized I had left my keys at the office.

EXAMPLES

The plane had left by the time I got to the airport.

I had been to Mexico once before.

I did not have any cash because I had lost my purse.

We were able to stay at the hotel since we had reserved a room in advance.

If I had seen him, I would have told him the news.

He understood the math test because he had been tutored all week.

EXAMPLES

She had visited several doctors before she found out what the problem was with her hand.

Before he did his homework, he had stayed after school for help.

If we had called ahead, we would not have needed to wait so long for a table.

The cat had chased the bird before it flew out of the yard.

You had had a question before I finished talking.

We had just called home when my mom texted us about returning the car.

TEST

go!

Question 1/8

Test

The thieves ___________ to find the diamonds in the vault.

had expected

have expected

had expect

Question 2/8

Test

They went to watch a movie after they ________ their homework.

have finished

finished

had finished

Question 3/8

Test

John ___________ well, and he could not focus.

had not slept

did not sleep

have not slept

Question 4/8

Test

The storm destroyed the sandcastle that we ________.

built

had builed

had built

Question 5/8

Test

The children collected the chestnuts that ________ from the tree.

have fallen

had fallen

had falled

Question 6/8

Test

I could not remember the poem we ________ the week before.

learned

had learn

had learned

Question 7/8

Test

My brother ate all of the cake that our mum ________.

have made

had made

made

Question 8/8

Test

She _________ her leg once before.

had broke

have broken

had broken

good job!!!