Past perfect

Past perfect

by Adi

​Use

• ​We use past perfect when two actions take place in the past. The past perfect is used for the action that took place first and the simple past for one that happened next. Example:

• ​When I got to school. I noticed I'd forgotten my homework.

​7:00

​

​Past actions

​Now

​I forgot my homework

​I got to school

​9:00

​Structure

​Affirmative

​ + had + past participle + complement.

​

​

• ​I had visited Rome twice before I went to Venice.

• ​I'd visited Rome twice before I went to Venice

​Negative

​​ + hadn't (had not) + past participle + complement.

​

​

• ​I hadn't learned Mandarin before I went to Beijing.

• ​​I had not learned Mandarin before I went to Beijing.

​Question

​Had +. . . . .+ past participle + complement?

​

​Had they gone to eat before lunch time?

​

• ​Yes, I had.

• ​No, I hadn't.

​Time expressions

• ​Already

• ​just

• ​before

• ​previously

• ​recently

• ​Example: I had just bought my ticket when the train arrived.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the verbs in parentheses in past perfect:

When I got to school, I realized I

(forget) my homework

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the verbs in parentheses in past perfect:

On her way to work she remembered she

(not/lock) the door.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the verbs in parentheses in past perfect:

He got mad when he realized he

(leave) the keys in his car

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the verbs in parentheses in past perfect:

When I arrived at the bus station, the bus

(already/leave).

Multiple Select

Put the verbs in parentheses in simple past or past perfect:

When they ____(get) into the classroom, the exam ____(already/finish).

• had gotten

• got

• had already finished

• already finished

Multiple Select

Put the verbs in parentheses in simple past or past perfect:

He ____(call) a locksmith because his key ____(get stuck) in the door lock.

• had called

• called

• had gotten stuck

• got stuck

Multiple Select

Put the verbs in parentheses in simple past or past perfect:

The kids ____(not/do) their homework by the time their mom ____(get) home.

• hadn't done

• didn't do

• had gotten home

• got home

Open Ended

Combine each pair of sentences. Link them with the words given:

First: The plane departed       second: I arrived at the airport.

When ________________, ________________

Home

Open in new tab

Copy link