Past Perfect vs Past Simple

We use Past Simple for an action which happened at a definite time in the past; the time is stated, already known or implied.

• Yes
• No

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

We use Past Simple for actions which happened immeditely one after the other in the past.

• Yes
• No

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

We use Past Simple for past habits or states which are now finished.

• Yes
• No

We can use used to when talking about habits or states which are now finished.

• Yes
• No

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

We use Past Perfect for an action which happened before another past action or before a stated time in the past.

• Yes
• No

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1B

We use Past Perfect for an action which finished in the past and whose result is visible in the present.

• Yes
• No

The Past Perfect is used with the following time expressions: 

• before, after, already, just, for, since, till, until, when, by the time, by, never
• yesterday, then, last night/week/month/year, three days ago

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.3.1E

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1D

Choose the correct form:
1.  If you ... him, he would have helped you.

• asked
• had asked

Choose the correct form:
The telegram ... just as I ... the house yesterday.

• came / had left
• come / left
• come / had left
• came / left

Choose the correct form:
I ... the mountains when I was young.

• used to climb
• had climbed