Past Perfect vs Past Simple

We use the past perfect to describe an action that happened...

• before another action in the past.

• after another action in the past.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

How do we form the past perfect?

• has + past participle

• was + present participle

• will + base form of the verb

• had + past participle

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

swim, swam, _ _ _ _

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

forget, forgot, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1D

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

Before he went to school, he had made his bed. Which action happens first?

• went to school.

• had made his bed.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

__________ his teacher had told him about the Second World War, he read a book about it.

• Before

• After

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1G

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1A

CCSS.L.5.1E

Before the couple split up, they _____ _____ (have) many arguments.

• had had

• has had

• having

• did have

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

They _______ (arrive) at the boxing match ten minutes before the fight _______ (start)

• arrived....had started

• had arrived...started

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

We use the past simple to describe an action that happens ____________ the past perfect action.

• before

• after

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

After he had returned home from the war, he _________ (decide) to quit the army.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1B

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D