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Past Perfect

Past Perfect

Reference

Rule Example
Formhad + past participleShe had finished. They had left.
Useearlier past action before another pastWhen I arrived, she had left.
Signalsalready · just · never · before · whenhad already started
vs past simplePP = earlier · PS = latershe had studied → she passed

Common mistakes

  1. I couldn't get in because I lost my key. → I couldn't get in because I had lost my key.
    losing the key happened first → past perfect
  2. I had seen him yesterday. → I saw him yesterday.
    no earlier past event → just past simple
  3. She has eaten before we arrived. → She had eaten before we arrived.
    two past events → had (not has)
  4. By the time we got there, the shop closed. → By the time we got there, the shop had closed.
    by the time → the earlier event takes had + PP

Past Perfect — Exercises

Past perfect or past simple?

Circle the correct answer.

  1. When we got to the cinema, the film _____. (had already started / already started)
  2. She was hungry because she _____ breakfast. (hadn't had / hasn't had)
  3. I recognised him because I _____ him before. (had met / have met)
  4. I _____ my friend yesterday at the station. (saw / had seen)
  5. I couldn't get in because I _____ my key. (had lost / lost)
  6. By the time we arrived, the shop _____. (had closed / closed)
  7. He woke up, _____ dressed and went out. (got / had got)
  8. _____ you ever seen snow before you went to Canada? (Had / Have)

Complete with the past perfect

Write the verb in the past perfect (had + past participle).

  1. When I arrived, everyone   (go) home.
  2. She was nervous because she   (never / fly) before.
  3. We missed the bus because we   (not / hear) the alarm.
  4. The tickets were all gone — they   (sell) them all in an hour.
  5. I   (just / finish) dinner when the phone rang.
  6.   you (eat) sushi before you went to Japan?

Past Perfect — Answer Key

Past perfect or past simple?

  1. had already started — The film started first, then we arrived → past perfect: had already started.
  2. hadn't had — Earlier than "was hungry" (past) → hadn't had. Has belongs to the present.
  3. had met — Meeting him happened before recognising him → had met.
  4. saw — Only one past event, with a time → past simple: saw.
  5. had lost — Losing the key came first and explains the problem → had lost.
  6. had closed — By the time = it happened before we arrived → had closed.
  7. got — A list of events in order → past simple: got.
  8. Had — Before a past event → past perfect question: Had you ever seen…?

Complete with the past perfect

  1. had gone
  2. had never flown
  3. hadn't heard
  4. had sold
  5. had just finished
  6. Had you eaten