The Past Perfect Tense

The Past Perfect Tense 

By the time we got to the airport, the plane had already left.

The past perfect tense is used to describe actions that were completed before another point in the past. It helps clarify the sequence of events, especially when the order isn't immediately clear.

How to Form the Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is formed using the auxiliary verb "had" followed by the past participle of the main verb. Here is the structure:

Subject + had + past participle

Examples:

- I had finished my homework before dinner.

- She had left the office when the storm started.

- They had read the book before the movie was released.

When to Use the Past Perfect Tense

1. To Show Completed Actions Before Another Past Action:

   The past perfect is often used to indicate that an action was completed before another action took place.

   - Example: By the time he arrived, we had already eaten.

2. To Describe a Condition in the Past:

   It is used in conditional sentences to express a condition that was true in the past.

   - Example: If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.

3. To Express Past Experience or Change:

The past perfect tense can describe experiences or changes that occurred before a specific time in the past.

   - Example: He didn’t come to the party because he had caught a cold.

Examples

- They had lived in Germany before moving to Canada.

- She had just finished writing the letter when the phone rang.

- We had heard the news by the time you told us.

Exercises

Try completing the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. When I arrived at the theater, the movie (start) _________.

2. They (travel) _________ to Japan before they moved there permanently.

3. She (not / see) _________ the film before we watched it together.

4. By the time we got to the airport, the plane (already / leave) _________.

5. If he (work) _________ harder at school, he would have gotten better grades.

Answer Key

1. When I arrived at the theater, the movie **had started**.

2. They **had traveled** to Japan before they moved there permanently.

3. She **had not seen** the film before we watched it together.

4. By the time we got to the airport, the plane **had already left**.

5. If he **had worked** harder at school, he would have gotten better grades.

Quiz: Simple Past vs. Past Perfect Tense

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Use the simple past, the past continuous or the past perfect tense.

1. After she (finish) __________ her homework, she (go) __________ out with friends.

   

2. When I (arrive) __________ at the party, everyone (already / eat) __________.

3. They (watch) __________ the movie before it (be) __________ removed from the theater.

4. He (not / see) __________ the game because he (forget) __________ to set his alarm.

5. When I (call) __________ her yesterday, she (tell) __________ me that she (leave) __________ for vacation.

6. By the time the meeting (start) __________, I (prepare) __________ all the necessary materials.

7. We (not / go) __________ to the beach last summer because we (decide) __________ to stay home instead.

8. She (realize) __________ that she (lose) __________ her keys after she (leave) __________ the house.

9. The children (sleep) __________ when the thunderstorm (begin) __________.

10. I (never / eat) __________ sushi before I (travel) __________ to Japan last year.

Answer Key:

1. After she **had finished** her homework, she **went** out with friends.

2. When I **arrived** at the party, everyone **had already eaten**.

3. They **had watched** the movie before it **was** removed from the theater.

4. He **did not see** the game because he **had forgotten** to set his alarm.

5. When I **called** her yesterday, she **told** me that she **had left** for vacation.

6. By the time the meeting **started**, I **had prepared** all the necessary materials.

7. We **did not go** to the beach last summer because we **had decided** to stay home instead.

8. She **realized** that she **had lost** her keys after she **had left** the house.

9. The children **were sleeping** when the thunderstorm **began**.

10. I **had never eaten** sushi before I **traveled** to Japan last year.