LANG CHEAT SHEET

Past Perfect

We use the Past Perfect (had + past participle) for an action that happened before another action in the past: When I arrived, the film had already started.

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  • We use the Past Perfect (had + past participle) for an action that happened before another action in the past: When I arrived, the film had already started.
  • It shows which of two past actions happened first — the Past Perfect for the earlier one, the Past Simple for the later one.
  • We often use it with words like already, just, never and by the time: She had never been abroad before that trip.
PRONOUN
+
-
I / You / He / She / It / We / They
When I arrived, the film had already started.
I hadn't finished my homework when she called.
Earlier of two past actions
She had never been abroad before that trip.
They hadn't met before the wedding.
By the time
By the time we arrived, the train had already left.
By 9pm, we hadn't finished dinner yet.
PRONOUN
QUESTION
ANSWER
I / You / He / She / It / We / They
Had you eaten before the meeting started?
Yes, I had. / No, I hadn't.
Earlier of two past actions
Had he left by the time you got there?
Yes, he had already left.
By the time
Had the shop closed by the time you got there?
Yes, it had closed an hour before.

Complete the sentences with the Past Perfect form of the verb in brackets.

  1. When I got home, my brother (already / eat) dinner.
  2. She (not / see) that film before last night.
  3. you finished the report before the deadline? Yes, I had
  4. By the time the police arrived, the thief (escape).
  5. We (not / book) a table, so we had to wait.
  6. They (never / travel) abroad before that summer.
  7. the train left before you got to the station? Yes, it had
  8. I was tired because I (work) all night.