Formula, Usage, and Exercises of the Past Perfect Tense

Similarly to how the present tense has the present continuous and present perfect tenses, the past tense is also divided into the past continuous and past perfect tenses. In the previous article, PREP shared all the knowledge about the past continuous tense in English, right? So, in the following article, let’s explore the past perfect tense in English in detail!

I. Definition of the Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense describes an action that occurred before another action in the past. The action that happened first uses the past perfect tense, while the action that happened later uses the simple past tense. For example:

• Anna had had breakfast before we came. 

• The boy had finished his homework before he went to bed last night.

II. The Formula of the Past Perfect Tense

Like the other 12 tenses in English, the formula for the past perfect tense is divided into 3 forms (affirmative, negative, interrogative) as follows:

Tips: For simplification, you just need to remember to change the verb "have/has" in the present perfect tense to "had" in the past perfect tense.

• Present Perfect: S + have/has + PII

• Past Perfect: S + had + PII

III. Usage of the Past Perfect Tense

Let’s explore the usage of the past perfect tense with PREP right below!

1. To express an action that was completed before another action in the past

The past perfect tense is used to convey an action that was completed prior to another action occurring in the past. The action that happened first uses the past perfect tense, while the action that happened later uses the simple past tense. For example:

• Last week, I visited my hometown. It had changed a lot. 

• Last month, I visited my grandparents but they had travelled to London.

2. To express an action that was completed before a specific time in the past

This usage refers to an action that was completed before a certain point in time in the past. For example:

• By 2010, Maria had completed two English courses. 

• By the time she arrived at the party, most of the guests had already left. 

3. To express a hypothetical or conditional situation in the past that did not happen (third conditional)

The past perfect tense is used to describe a hypothetical situation or condition in the past that was not real, which belongs to the third conditional type. For example:

For example: 

• If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended it. 

• If Harry had had a map, he wouldn’t have got lost in this city. 

4. To express regret about an action that occurred or did not occur in the past

The past perfect tense is used to express regret about an action that happened or did not happen in the past (commonly used in wish clauses). For example:

For example:

• I wish I had studied harder for the exam. 

• I wish I had gone to the party last night. 

5. To describe actions that occur consecutively in the past when the second action begins or ends after the first action has been completed

The past perfect tense describes actions that happened consecutively in the past, where the second action begins or ends after the first action has been completed. For example:

• After he had eaten dinner, he went for a walk. 

• After I had finished my assignment, I handed it in to my teacher. 

IV. Indicators of the Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is often used with conjunctions such as:

• Before. For example: She had finished her homework before she went out with her friends. 

• After. For example: After he had eaten dinner, he watched a movie. 

• By the time. For example: By the time we arrived, the concert had already started. 

• When. For example: When they arrived, we had already left. 

• Already. For example: She had already seen the movie before it was released in theaters. 

• Just. For example: They had just finished their meal when the phone rang. 

• Never. For example: He had never been to Paris before last year. 

• By + time reference. For example: By 10 p.m., I had completed the report.

V. Distinction Between Simple Past, Past Perfect, and Past Perfect Continuous Tenses

Let's distinguish between the simple past tense, past perfect tense, and past perfect continuous tense in the table below:

VI. Exercises on the Past Perfect Tense in English

To better understand the concept and usage of the past perfect tense, let’s complete the exercises below with PREP!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the correct form of the verb in parentheses in the blanks, using the past perfect and simple past tenses.

1. The apartment was hot when I got home, so I________(turn) on the air conditioner.

2. ________(you/meet) Tom at the party last night? 

3. No, he________(already/ go) home when I________(arrive) at the party. 

4. I was late. The teacher________(already/ give) a quiz when I________(get) to class. 

5. It was raining hard, but by the time the class________(be) over, the rain________(stop).

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences so that the meaning remains unchanged.

1. David had gone home before we arrived.

⇒ After_________________________________________

2. We had lunch then we took a tour around the boutiques. 

⇒ Before________________________________________

3. The light had gone out before we got out of the office.

⇒ Before________________________________________

4. After she had explained everything clearly, we started our work.

⇒ By the time____________________________________

5. My father had watered all the plants in the garden by the time my mother came home.

⇒ Before ________________________________________

2. Answer keys

This article provides all the knowledge about the Past Perfect Tense that PREP wants to share with you. Stay tuned to PREP for more helpful and interesting English knowledge!