i finished my homework i went to bed

Past Perfect Simple Tense: How to Use It, With Examples

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Olivia Drake

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What is the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is a verb tense used to describe an action that was completed before another action took place in the past. In other words, it is used to show that one event happened before another event in the past.

It is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.” In this sentence, “had eaten” is the past perfect tense, and it indicates that eating breakfast was completed before going to work.

When to use the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is used to describe a completed action that happened before another action in the past. It is often used to provide background information in a story or to show the order of events. Here are some common situations where the past perfect tense is used:

• To describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example: “I had finished my homework before I went to bed.”
• To describe a cause-and-effect relationship in the past. For example: “She was tired because she had been working all day.”
• To describe a hypothetical situation in the past. For example: “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.”
• To describe a past action that happened before a specific time in the past. For example: “By the time I arrived, they had already left.”
• To describe a past action that happened before another past action that was interrupted or happened suddenly. For example: “I had been cooking dinner when the power went out.”
• Overall, the past perfect tense is used to show the relationship between two past actions or events, with one action being completed before the other.

How to form the past perfect tense?

To form the past perfect tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. Here is the formula for forming the past perfect tense:

Subject + had + past participle

The past participle is formed by adding “-ed” to regular verbs or by using the third form of the irregular verb. Here are some examples of regular and irregular verbs in the past perfect tense:

• Regular verb example: I had walked to the store before it started raining.The past participle of “walk” is “walked.”
• Irregular verb example: He had eaten breakfast before he left the house.The past participle of “eat” is “eaten.”

It’s worth noting that there are some irregular verbs that don’t follow the standard pattern for forming the past participle, so it’s important to learn the past participles of irregular verbs. For example, the past participle of “go” is “gone,” not “goed.”

How to make a negative form?

To make a negative sentence in the past perfect tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “had” in its negative form, which is “had not” or “hadn’t”, before the past participle of the main verb. Here’s the formula:

Subject + hadn’t + past participle of the main verb

For example:

• I hadn’t eaten breakfast before I went to work.
• She hadn’t finished the report by the deadline.
• They hadn’t seen the movie before, so they were excited to watch it.

In these examples, the negative form “hadn’t” is used with the past participle of the main verb to indicate that the action was not completed before another past action.

It’s important to note that when using the negative form of the past perfect tense, the word “not” should be included after the auxiliary verb “had” in order to indicate the negative meaning of the sentence.

How to make questions?

To make a question in the past perfect tense, you need to invert the subject and the auxiliary verb “had”. Here’s the formula:

Had + subject + past participle of the main verb?

• Had you eaten breakfast before you went to work?
• Had she finished the report by the deadline?
• Had they seen the movie before?

In these examples, the auxiliary verb “had” is used before the subject, and the past participle of the main verb is placed at the end of the sentence. This formula helps to indicate that the question is in the past perfect tense and helps to form a grammatically correct question.

It’s important to note that when making a question in the past perfect tense, the auxiliary verb “had” should be used at the beginning of the sentence, and the main verb should be in its past participle form. Additionally, the question mark at the end of the sentence indicates that it is a question.

What is the difference between the past perfect and simple past tenses?

The past perfect and simple past tenses are both used to talk about past events, but they are used in different ways.

The simple past tense is used to describe a completed action or a series of completed actions in the past. For example: “I ate breakfast this morning.” The simple past tense is often used with time expressions that indicate when the action happened, such as yesterday, last week, or in 1995.

On the other hand, the past perfect tense is used to show that one action was completed before another action in the past. For example: “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.” In this sentence, the past perfect tense “had eaten” indicates that eating breakfast was completed before going to work.

So, the key difference between the two tenses is that the simple past tense is used to talk about a completed past action, while the past perfect tense is used to show the order of two past actions, with one action being completed before the other.

Another way to think of the difference is that the simple past tense is used when there is no need to show a specific relationship between two past actions, while the past perfect tense is used when there is a need to show that one past action happened before another.

How do I know when to use “had” in the past perfect tense?

The auxiliary verb “had” is always used in the past perfect tense, as it is the helping verb that forms the tense. “Had” is used with the past participle of the main verb to indicate that an action was completed before another past action. For example, “I had finished my work before I went to bed.” In this sentence, “had finished” is the past perfect tense, and “had” is the helping verb that forms the tense.

It’s important to note that “had” is used in the past perfect tense for all subjects, including “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they.” The only thing that changes in the sentence is the past participle of the main verb, depending on the subject and the verb’s irregularity.

It’s also important to remember that the past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past, so you should use “had” when you want to show that an action was completed before another past action. For example, “He had already left when I arrived.” In this sentence, “had already left” indicates that leaving was completed before the action of arriving.

Some common irregular verbs in the past perfect tense?

Irregular verbs have unique past participles that don’t follow the regular pattern of adding “-ed” to the base form. Here are some common irregular verbs in the past perfect tense:

• be – had been
• break – had broken
• choose – had chosen
• do – had done
• drive – had driven
• eat – had eaten
• fall – had fallen
• go – had gone
• see – had seen
• speak – had spoken
• take – had taken
• think – had thought
• wear – had worn
• write – had written

These irregular verbs can be used with “had” to form the past perfect tense, as in “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work” or “She had written the report before the meeting.” It’s important to remember that the past participle is often different from the base form of the verb and needs to be memorized.

Can the past perfect tense be used to talk about ongoing actions in the past?

No, the past perfect tense is not used to talk about ongoing actions in the past. The past perfect tense is used to talk about actions that were completed before another past action, and it is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” with the past participle of the main verb.

To talk about ongoing actions in the past, we use  the past continuous tense  (also called the past progressive tense), which is formed by using the auxiliary verb “was” or “were” with the present participle (-ing) of the main verb. For example, “I was studying for my exam when my friend called me” or “They were watching TV when the power went out.”

It’s important to use the correct tense to accurately convey the meaning of the sentence. Using the past perfect tense to talk about ongoing actions in the past would be grammatically incorrect and could cause confusion for the reader or listener.

Can the past perfect tense be used to talk about future events from a past perspective?

Yes, the past perfect tense can be used to talk about future events from a past perspective. This is called the past perfect future, and it is used to describe a future event that was expected or planned to happen from a past point of view.

The past perfect future is formed by using the past perfect tense of “have” (had) followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had hoped to finish my project by next week” or “They had planned to go on vacation next month.”

In these examples, the past perfect tense indicates that the event was in the future from a past perspective, and it implies that the event did not happen as planned. The past perfect future can be used to show regret, disappointment, or surprise that the expected future event did not happen.

It’s important to note that the past perfect future is not used very frequently, and it is often replaced by other tenses such as the past simple or the past continuous.

Are there any exceptions or special cases when using the past perfect tense?

Yes, there are some exceptions or special cases when using the past perfect tense. Here are a few examples:

• When using  reported speech : In reported speech, the past perfect tense can be used to indicate that an action had been completed before the reporting verb was spoken or written. For example, “She said she had already seen the movie” or “He told me he had finished his work.”
• When using  the past perfect continuous tense : The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that began in the past and continued up until another action in the past. For example, “I had been studying for three hours when I decided to take a break.” In this sentence, “had been studying” is the past perfect continuous tense, which describes an ongoing action that was interrupted by the decision to take a break.
• When using “just” or “already”: In some cases, “just” or “already” can be used with the past perfect tense to indicate that an action had recently been completed or had been completed earlier than expected. For example, “I had just finished my breakfast when the phone rang” or “They had already left by the time we arrived.”

Past continuous tense examples

• I had finished my homework before going to bed. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• They had already left when we arrived. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• By the time she got home, her husband had already cooked dinner. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• I had never seen a shooting star before that night. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• He had been working at the company for five years before he was promoted. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• She had lived in France for two years before moving to the United States. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• The concert had already started when we arrived at the venue. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• He had forgotten his keys at home, so he had to call his roommate to let him in. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• I had never ridden a motorcycle until last weekend. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• The team had won three games in a row before losing the championship game. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• I had never tried sushi until I visited Japan. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• By the time they arrived at the party, most of the guests had already left. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• She had been studying for hours before she finally understood the concept. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• He had broken his leg playing soccer, so he couldn’t participate in the tournament. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• They had been dating for a year before they decided to get married. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• The movie had already started when we got to the theater, so we missed the beginning. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• I had been looking for my keys for hours before I finally found them in my jacket pocket. – This sentence describes an action that started in the past and continued up to another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and continued up to a specific point in the past.
• She had never been on a plane before she took her first international flight. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened at an unspecified time before a past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action happened in the past before the second action.
• He had completed all of his assignments by Friday, so he could enjoy the weekend. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• The store had closed by the time I got there, so I had to go back the next day. – This sentence describes a completed action that happened before another past action. The past perfect tense is used to indicate that the first action was completed before the second action.
• Have you ever traveled to Europe? – This question asks about an action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• How many times have you seen that movie? – This question asks about the number of times an action has occurred from an unspecified point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action is still relevant in the present.
• Have you finished your homework yet? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you ever tried sushi before? – This question asks about a past action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• Have you been to the new restaurant downtown? – This question asks about a past action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• How long have you lived in this city? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you seen the news today? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you ever ridden a horse? – This question asks about an action or experience that may have happened at any point in the past up to the present. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action or experience is still relevant in the present.
• Have you studied for the exam yet? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.
• Have you finished reading that book yet? – This question asks about a past action that has a connection to the present moment. The present perfect tense is used to indicate that the action started in the past and is still relevant in the present.

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Home » Past Perfect Tense | Structure, Rules, Uses and Examples

Past Perfect Tense | Structure, Rules, Uses and Examples

Past Perfect Tense is a grammatical structure often used to express actions completed before a specific point in the past. This tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. It helps convey the sequence of events and highlight which action happened first. Understanding the structure, rules, uses, and examples of the past perfect tense is crucial for effective communication and writing. In this article, we will explore the structure, rules, and usage, and provide examples of past perfect tense to help you better understand it. So, let’s get started!

What is Past Perfect Tense?

The past perfect tense is a grammatical structure used to describe an action or event that was completed (before another action) in the past. It is formed by combining the past tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (had) with the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had eaten,” “She had finished,” or “They had arrived.” In simple words, past perfect helps convey the idea that something happened before something else in the past.

Imagine you have two events, A and B, both in the past. If you want to emphasize that event A happened before event B, you can use past perfect. For example, “I had finished my homework before I went to bed.” Here, finishing homework (event A) happened before going to bed (event B). This tense is particularly useful when narrating stories, explaining historical events, or expressing regrets about missed opportunities.

• He had already left for work when I called him.
• She had learned French before moving to Paris.
• He had completed the project before the deadline.
• She had finished her homework before going to bed.
• They had cleaned the house before the guests arrived.

In each example, the past perfect tense helps establish the sequence of events by indicating which action occurred or completed first in the past.

Positive Form:

In the positive form of the past perfect tense, we use the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. This structure indicates that an action was completed before another event in the past. It is employed to express the sequence of actions, making it clear which event happened first.

• He had studied for the test.
• The team had won the championship.
• She had finished her homework.
• They had already left when I arrived.
• He had visited that museum before.

Negative Form:

To form the negative past perfect tense, we insert “not” after the auxiliary verb “had.” This structure conveys the idea that a certain action had not taken place before another past event. It is used to express the absence of a completed action before a specified moment in the past, helping to distinguish between events that occurred and those that did not.

• She had not finished her homework.
• We had not seen that movie before.
• They had not found the lost keys.
• We had not explored that part of the city.
• He had not fixed the broken window.

Interrogative Form:

In the interrogative form of the past perfect tense, we invert the subject and the auxiliary verb “had.” This structure is used to pose questions about the completion of an action before a particular past event. By rearranging the word order, we create questions that seek information about the sequence of actions in the past.

• Had she finished her homework?
• Had we met before this conference?
• Had she realized her mistake by then?
• Had they discussed the plan with you?
• Had you checked the weather forecast?

Structure of Past Perfect Tense

Positive sentences:.

• I had finished my homework.
• He had forgotten his keys at home.
• He had already eaten dinner.
• They had completed the project.

Negative Sentences:

• They had not finished the project.
• He had not spoken to her in weeks.
• The package had not arrived on time.
• She had not seen that movie before.

Interrogative Sentences (yes/no questions):

• Had they left before the storm?
• Had you seen that movie before?
• Had it become dark when you left?
• Had we discussed this topic earlier?

Interrogative Sentences (wh-questions):

Wh-word:  (who, what, where, when, why, how)

• Where had they gone?
• How had it happened?
• Why had  they chosen that path?
• Where had they found the keys?

Negative Interrogative Sentences:

• Had we not discussed this matter?
• Had you  not met him previously?
• Had you not heard the news by then?
• Had she not finished the assignment?

The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another past action. It reflects a sense of past in the past, highlighting the chronological order of events. This tense establishes a clear timeline by signaling that the past action being described had already happened before a different event occurred. It allows speakers to convey the sequence of events in a narrative, highlighting the temporal relationship between actions.

Here are some basic words and expressions that are often associated with the past perfect tense:

• By the time
• In the past
• By the deadline
• Last (when referring to a specific time)

Past Perfect Tense Uses

• Completed Action Before Another: Describes an action completed before another action in the past.
• Sequence Clarification: Specifies the order of events in a story or narration.
• Highlighting Duration: Emphasizes the duration of an action that happened before a specific point in the past.
• Past of the Past: Points to an event that occurred before another past occurrence.
• Unreal Past Conditions: Expresses hypothetical or unreal situations in the past.
• Reported Speech Background: Used in reported speech to describe an action that happened before the reported statement.
• Emphasizing Cause and Effect: Illustrates a cause-and-effect relationship in the past.
• Talking About Regrets: Expresses regret or disappointment about a past event.
• Common Signal Words: Often used with signal words like “before,” “after,” and “until” to indicate the sequence of actions.
• Cause and Effect: To indicate that one event happened as a consequence of another in the past.
• Before Past Interruptions: Describing an action that was happening before another action interrupted it.
• Narrative Tense: Often used in storytelling to create a clear timeline of events, making the narrative more structured and chronological.
• Expressing Past Habits: It can be used to discuss habits or actions that were regularly performed in the past, emphasizing their continuity before a particular time.

Past Perfect Tense Rules

Here are some basic rules of past perfect tense:

• Formation: Start with the subject, add “had,” and follow it with the past participle of the verb.
• Subject Agreement: The subject remains the same throughout, whether singular or plural.
• Regular Verbs: Use the past participle form for regular verbs, usually ending in “-ed.”
• Irregular Verbs: Memorize irregular verb past participle forms, like “gone” for “go” or “taken” for “take.”
• Time Reference: Past perfect talks about actions completed before another past event, providing a clear time relationship.
• Past of “Have”: Recognize that “had” in past perfect is the past tense of “have.”
• Negatives and Questions: Use “had not” for negatives and invert the subject and “had” for questions.
• Keywords: Identify keywords like “before,” “already,” and “by the time” signaling the need for past perfect.
• Sequential Actions: Employ past perfect for the action that happened first in a series of past events.
• Narrative Flow: Enhance storytelling by using past perfect to clarify the order of past actions, creating a smooth and coherent narrative.

Past Perfect Example Sentences

• I had already eaten when you called.
• Hadn’t they watched the movie before?
• The children had already gone to bed.
• He had never seen such a beautiful sunset.
• By the time we arrived, the show had started.
• Had you met him before last year?
• The rain had stopped when we went outside.
• They had known each other since childhood.
• I had forgotten my keys at home.
• By the time she woke up, I had already left.
• Hadn’t they heard the news earlier?
• They had finished the project before the deadline.
• They had already chosen their wedding venue.
• Hadn’t he lost his phone last week?
• We had never seen such a beautiful garden.
• By the time I got there, the store had closed.
• Had she not graduated from college in 2010?
• I had worked at the company for five years.
• Hadn’t you visited that city before moving there?
• She had left the room before I entered.

Past Perfect Tense Chart with Examples

Past Perfect Tense Exercises

Certainly! Here are 20 simple past perfect tense exercises to check your knowledge. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs:

• She ______ (forget) her keys at home.
• By the time I arrived, they ______ (already/leave).
• He realized he ______ (misplace) his wallet.
• The children ______ (finish) their homework before playing.
• We ______ (never/visit) that museum before.
• Sarah ______ (complete) the project by the deadline.
• When I reached the cinema, the movie ______ (already/start).
• The train ______ (leave) before we reached the station.
• They didn’t come because they ______ (not/invite) to the party.
• By the time I got there, the store ______ (close).
• The students ______ (not/study) the lesson before the test.
• I realized I ______ (lose) my phone after I left the restaurant.
• The chef ______ (prepare) the meal before the guests arrived.
• She couldn’t enter because she ______ (forget) her access card.
• By the time they arrived, the concert ______ (already/begin).
• The rain ______ (stop) before we left for the picnic.
• The book ______ (already/read) before it was assigned.
• We ______ (not/see) that movie before last night.
• The teacher ______ (already/explain) the concept.
• The sun ______ (set) before we reached the beach.
• had forgotten
• had already left
• had misplaced
• had finished
• had never visited
• had completed
• had already started
• had not been invited
• had not studied
• had prepared
• had already begun
• had stopped
• had already been read
• had not seen
• had already explained

Q1: What is the Past Perfect Tense?

The past perfect tense is a grammatical structure used to express an action that was completed before another action or event in the past. It is formed by using the past tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (had) with the past participle of the main verb.

Q2: When is the Past Perfect Tense used?

The past perfect tense is used to emphasize the completion of an action before a specific past point or before another action in the past. It helps establish a clear chronological sequence of events in narratives.

Q3: How is the Past Perfect Tense formed?

To form the past perfect tense, start with the past tense of “have” (had) and follow it with the past participle of the main verb. For example: “She had finished her work.”

Q4: What is the difference between Past Perfect and Past Simple Tense?

While both tenses deal with actions in the past, the past perfect tense specifically indicates the completion of an action before another past action or event, adding a layer of temporal sequencing. In contrast, the past simple tense focuses on the occurrence of an action in the past without highlighting its relationship to other past events.

Q5: Give some example sentences of past perfect tense.

Here are some example sentences of past perfect tense:

• She had visited the museum.
• We had completed the project.
• She had already eaten lunch.
• They had bought new furniture.
• Present Perfect Tense
• Past Continuous Tense 
• Future Continuous Tense 
• Present Continuous Tense 
• 12 English Tenses in English

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After she had completed her home work, she went to bed

After she had completed her home work, she went to bed.

Is the sentence correct or not? Is it had completed or have completed ?

• past-vs-past-perfect

• What do think should be the correct choice? –  AIQ Commented Oct 23, 2019 at 1:40

After she had completed her home work, she went to bed After she has /have completed her home work she went to bed

The firstsentence is correct.There are two past actions here.The first one may be in the past perfect and the second one may be in the simple past.

.The second sentence is wrong if you use have or even has. You can not use present perfect since it may refer to a completed activity in the present moment.

You may say:

She went to bed after she completed her home work.

The conjunction after indicates that she completed her home work first and later she went to bed.

• 1 OP provides no evidence of any research they did to solve their query. There are plenty of questions in ELL that discuss the use of tenses - had OP looked into those their problem would be resolved. Or, OP could have mentioned which ones they looked at and why those questions did not help them. OP's question looks like a homework question - which we should not answer unless their is a major concern or a real problem. The point is to empower non-natives to learn and educate themselves on simple problems. We should do that by asking them questions to make them think. –  AIQ Commented Oct 23, 2019 at 3:47
• 1 You giving away the right answer does more harm than good to OP. They have gotten the correct answer, but they have not truly learnt why that is the correct answer. They will not put in the effort now. That is why I made a comment as to which they thought is correct - this will make them think. This will make them put in just a bit more effort into first trying to find their own answers. –  AIQ Commented Oct 23, 2019 at 3:48

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Past Perfect Tense: Definition & Useful Examples in English

Are you struggling to understand the Past Perfect Tense? You’re not alone! This grammatical concept can be tricky to grasp, but it’s an important one to master if you want to communicate effectively in English. In this article, we’ll break down the Past Perfect Tense and provide you with clear examples of when and how to use it.

The Past Perfect Tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action took place in the past. It’s formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.” In this sentence, the action of eating breakfast (using the Past Perfect Tense) was completed before the action of going to work (using the simple past tense).

Understanding Past Perfect Tense

If you want to talk about something that happened before another event in the past, you need to use the Past Perfect Tense. This tense is also known as the Pluperfect Tense and is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” and the past participle of the main verb.

For example, “I had finished my homework before I went to bed.” Here, the action of finishing homework is in the past, and it happened before the action of going to bed, which is also in the past.

The Past Perfect Tense is used in various situations, such as:

• To describe an action that happened before another past action
• To describe a hypothetical situation in the past
• To express regret or disappointment about something that happened in the past

It is important to note that the Past Perfect Tense is not used when the order of events is clear from the context. In such cases, the Simple Past Tense is used.

Here are some examples of the Past Perfect Tense in action:

• “She had already eaten breakfast when her friend arrived.”
• “I had never seen such a beautiful sunset before I visited Hawaii.”
• “They had regretted their decision to sell the house after the property values skyrocketed.”

In summary, the Past Perfect Tense is used to talk about an action that happened before another event in the past. By using this tense, you can provide a clear timeline of events and help your reader or listener understand the sequence of actions.

Formation of Past Perfect Tense

To form the Past Perfect Tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “had” and the past participle of the main verb. This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. Here are the three types of sentences in Past Perfect Tense:

Affirmative Sentences

To form an affirmative sentence in Past Perfect Tense, you need to follow this formula:

For example:

Negative Sentences

To form a negative sentence in Past Perfect Tense, you need to add “not” after “had.”

Interrogative Sentences

To form an interrogative sentence in Past Perfect Tense, you need to invert the subject and “had.”

It’s important to note that the Past Perfect Tense is often used with time expressions such as “before,” “by the time,” “already,” and “just.” Using these expressions can help indicate the order of events in the past.

Usage of Past Perfect Tense

When we use the Past Perfect Tense, we are talking about an action that happened before another action in the past. Here are some common situations where we use the Past Perfect Tense:

Completed Action Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Tense to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example:

• You had already eaten when I arrived.
• She had finished her homework before she went to bed.

In both of these examples, the Past Perfect Tense is used to describe an action that happened before another action in the past.

Duration Before Something in the Past

We also use the Past Perfect Tense to talk about a duration of time that had passed before another action in the past. For example:

• They had been married for 10 years before they got divorced.
• He had lived in New York for 5 years before he moved to Los Angeles .

In these examples, the Past Perfect Tense is used to talk about a duration of time that had passed before another action in the past.

Unfulfilled Past Conditions

We can also use the Past Perfect Tense to talk about a condition in the past that was not fulfilled. For example:

• If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
• She would have passed the test if she had studied more.

In these examples, the Past Perfect Tense is used to talk about a condition in the past that was not fulfilled.

Overall, the Past Perfect Tense is a useful tool for talking about actions that happened before another action in the past, durations of time that had passed before another action in the past, and conditions in the past that were not fulfilled.

Common Mistakes in Past Perfect Tense

When using the Past Perfect Tense, there are some common mistakes that people make. Here are a few examples of those mistakes:

Incorrect Form

One of the most common mistakes when using the Past Perfect Tense is getting the form wrong. Remember that the Past Perfect Tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work.” If you use the wrong form of the verb, your sentence will not make sense.

Inappropriate Context

Another common mistake is using the Past Perfect Tense in an inappropriate context. The Past Perfect Tense is used to talk about an action that was completed before another action in the past. If you use it in the wrong context, your sentence will not make sense. For example, “I had eaten breakfast when I woke up.” This sentence doesn’t make sense because you can’t eat breakfast after you wake up.

Confusing Past Simple and Past Perfect Tense

Sometimes people confuse the Past Simple and Past Perfect Tense. The Past Simple is used to talk about a completed action in the past, while the Past Perfect Tense is used to talk about an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example, “I ate breakfast before I went to work” (Past Simple) vs. “I had eaten breakfast before I went to work” (Past Perfect Tense).

Incorrect Word Order

Another common mistake is getting the word order wrong. Remember that the auxiliary verb “had” always comes before the main verb in the Past Perfect Tense. For example, “I had finished my work before I went home” (correct) vs. “I finished had my work before I went home” (incorrect).

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can use the Past Perfect Tense correctly and make your sentences more clear and accurate.

Past Perfect Exercise

Exercise 1:

Exercise 2:

Past Perfect Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between simple past and past perfect tense?

Simple past tense is used to describe an action that happened and ended in the past. On the other hand, past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past.

How do you form the past perfect tense?

To form the past perfect tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

What are some common uses of the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is commonly used to show the order of two past events. It is also used to talk about completed actions that happened before another action in the past.

What are some common irregular verbs in past perfect tense?

Some common irregular verbs in past perfect tense include “had gone”, “had seen”, “had done”, “had been”, and “had taken”.

How do I use past perfect tense in my writing effectively?

To use past perfect tense effectively in your writing, it is important to understand the context and the order of events. Use it to show completed actions that happened before another action in the past. Be careful not to overuse it and make sure it is clear to the reader what is happening in the story.

“I had finished the work” where is the second action here ?

Past Perfect 1

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Past Perfect Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

Table of Contents

The past perfect tense is a grammatical form used to describe actions that were completed before a specific point in the past. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

• She had finished the work.
• They had visited the museum last summer.
• They had not seen the movie.
• He had never been to Paris before this vacation.
• Had you studied for the test before it was announced?
• Had the mail arrived before you left the house?

Forming the Past Perfect Tense

Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative sentences in past perfect tense are statements that express an action that was completed before a specific point in the past. They are structured using the following formula.

Subject + had +verb(3rd form) + object.

• She had already finished her breakfast.
• They had watched the movie before bedtime.
• He had visited the new museum in town.
• The children had played in the park all afternoon.
• By the time I arrived, they had already eaten dinner.
• She realized she had forgotten her keys at home.
• We had never been to this restaurant before.
• The teacher had explained the lesson before the test.
• He told me he had already seen the new movie.
• The sun had set by the time we reached the beach.

The sentences given above are broken down according to their grammatical structure.

Negative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in past perfect tense are questions that inquire about actions or events that occurred before a specific point in the past. They are formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the subject and the past participle of the main verb.

Subject + had + not + verb(3rd form) + object.

• She hadn’t finished her chores before dinner.
• They hadn’t visited the park in months.
• He hadn’t heard that song until yesterday.
• The team hadn’t practiced enough before the match.
• We hadn’t met our new neighbors until last week.
• The store hadn’t restocked the shelves by noon.
• He hadn’t tried sushi before last night.
• She hadn’t watched that TV series until now.
• They hadn’t seen that movie before last night.
• He hadn’t spoken to his cousin in years.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in past perfect tense are questions about actions or events that happened before a specific point in the past. They start with “Had” followed by the subject and the past participle of the main verb.

Had + subject + verb(3rd form) + object?

• Had she eaten breakfast before leaving for work?
• Had they visited the museum before the trip?
• Had he finished his chores before going out to play?
• Had you heard the news before we told you?
• Had they cleaned the house before the party?
• Had she read the book before watching the movie?
• Had we met our new neighbors before the event?
• Had he seen that movie before last night?
• Had they played any games before the picnic?
• Had she finished her work by the time you called?

Usages of the Past Perfect Tense

Describing Completed Actions Before Another Past Action

Describing Completed Actions Before Another Past Action” is one of the key uses of the past perfect tense. It helps establish a clear sequence of events in the past.

• By the time we arrived, they had already finished their meal .
• She had completed the project before the deadline.
• The train had left the station before we reached it.
• They hadn’t started the meeting before the boss arrived.
• The bakery hadn’t sold out of croissants when we got there.
• She hadn’t visited that museum before last summer.
• Had you finished your homework before the teacher collected it?
• Had they seen that movie before it won an award?
• Had she ever traveled to Europe before this trip?

Narrating Past Events in a Sequence

“Narrating Past Events in a Sequence” is another important use of the past perfect tense. It helps in presenting a series of past events in the order in which they occurred.

• She had breakfast , then went for a walk , and finally read a book .
• They had a picnic , then played games , and afterwards shared stories .
• She didn’t have time to finish her drawing , so she left it for tomorrow .
• They didn’t find any ripe apples , so they postponed making the pie .
• Had she already finished her snack before going for a walk?
• Had they played any games before having the picnic?

Expressing Regrets or Hypothetical Scenarios in the Past

Expressing regrets or hypothetical scenarios in the past involves using the past perfect tense to discuss situations that didn’t happen, or to express a sense of regret or longing for different outcomes in the past.

• If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
• She wishes she had taken that job offer last year.
• He believes he would have won the race if he had trained harder.
• If she had arrived earlier, she wouldn’t have missed the train.
• He wishes he hadn’t sold his antique collection.

Reporting Past Actions or Speech

Reporting past actions or speech” involves conveying what someone said or did in the past. This is typically done through indirect or reported speech, where the original statement or action is reported using a different verb tense (often the past perfect tense) to indicate that it happened in the past.

• She told me, I finished the report .
• He said, She has already left .
• They mentioned, We visited the museum .
• She told me that she hadn’t finished the report.
• He said that she had already left .
• They mentioned that they hadn’t visited the museum.
• Did she tell you she had finished the report?
• Had he mentioned that she had already left?
• Did they ask if we had visited the museum?

Past Perfect Tense Chart

Signal words for Past Perfect Tense

Signal words for Past Perfect Tense indicate that an action or event occurred before another action in the past.

• She had finished her work before the meeting started.
•  They had already eaten when I arrived.
•   By the time we got to the cinema, the movie had already begun.
•  She hadn’t seen the movie until last night.
•   After they had left, I realized I forgot my keys.
• He hadn’t heard the news before we told him.
• She had never visited that city before.
•  She didn’t taste that type of food until today.
•   No sooner had they finished the project than the deadline arrived.
• Had you finished your work before the call?
•   Hadn’t they seen the movie before last night?
• Had you ever been to this city before your trip?
• Had they finished the project by the deadline?
•   Before we arrived, had they already played the game?

Time Expressions

Time expressions are words or phrases that indicate when an action or event took place. In the context of past perfect tense, they help establish the relationship between different past actions.

• She finished her homework before dinner .
• He had known her since kindergarten .
• By morning, the rain had stopped .
• They had watched the movie twice already.
• She had read the book before bedtime .
• He hadn’t eaten breakfast yet .
• She realized she hadn’t studied in a while .
• They hadn’t seen that show since last year .
• He hadn’t visited the museum in years .
• She hadn’t traveled abroad before last summer .
• Had you finished your chores by the time I called? ( Time Expression )
• When did they first meet each other? ( Time Expression )
• By what time had they completed the project? ( Time Expression )
• Had they ever been to this city before? ( Time Expression )
• Since when had he known about this new technology? (Time Expression)

Past Perfect vs. Simple Past Tense

Differentiating Between Past Perfect and Simple Past

Here’s a table comparing Past Perfect Tense and Simple Past Tense

• Past Perfect Tense Example Sentences
• The mother had cooked food before the sun rose.
• I had recited the Holy Quran before you came.
• The bell had rung when we reached the school.
• The train had gone when I reached the station.
• They had taken tea when I reached there.
• The patient had died before the doctor came.
• They had already finished their work.
• He had reached here till 2’O clock.
• The girl had already sung songs.
• The teacher had already taught us lesson.
• By then, he had finished all his work.
• They were tired because they had walked a lot.
• We were surprised because they hadn’t told us.
• The movie was over because they had watched it.
• She knew the answer because she had studied.
• They were happy because they had won the prize.
• He was full because he had eaten a big meal.
• The students were tired because they had studied.
• She had a great time because she had danced a lot.
• They were sleepy because they had stayed up late.
• He had not taken breakfast before you came.
• They had not bought tickets before the train came.
• Aslam had not heard this good news yet.
• It had not rained yet.
• I had never eaten such a delicious fruit before.
• He hadn’t visited his grandparents in a long time.
• She hadn’t tried that new restaurant yet.
• They hadn’t met their new neighbors before the party.
• By the time they arrived, the show hadn’t started yet.
• He hadn’t seen a shooting star until last night.
• She hadn’t been to the beach in years.
• We hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
• The cat hadn’t eaten its food yet.
• She hadn’t visited the museum in a while.
• They hadn’t finished the puzzle by bedtime.
• He hadn’t cooked dinner before the guests arrived.
• She hadn’t heard the news until now.
• They hadn’t bought groceries for the week.
• By the time they left, the party hadn’t even started.
• He hadn’t taken a vacation in years.
• Had you finished your work before the sun set?
• Had the police already dispersed the crowd?
• Had they already left for Lahore?
• Why had you not posted the letter before you went to school?
• Had they already reached the school?
• Had he fixed the car before the road trip?
• Had she learned to swim before the summer?
• Had they packed their bags before the vacation?
• Had we finished all the tasks before leaving?
• Had he visited his grandparents before the holidays?
• Had you met the new neighbors before the barbecue?
• Had they chosen a restaurant before the reservation?
• Had she attended any classes before the conference?
• Had we booked the tickets before they were sold out?
• Had he heard about the new job before the interview?
• Had they received the package before leaving home?
• Had she completed the assignment before the deadline?
• Had we packed our bags before the trip started?
• Had he visited that museum before it closed down?
• Had you tried that dish before today?

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Avoiding common mistakes in language use is crucial for effective communication.

Here are some tips to help you steer clear of frequent errors:

• Watch Subject-Verb Agreement : Ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number (singular or plural).
• Avoid Double Negatives : Using two negatives in a sentence can lead to confusion. For example, “I can’t hardly wait” should be “I can hardly wait.”
• Be Consistent with Verb Tenses : Stick to one tense throughout a piece of writing, unless there’s a specific reason for a shift.
• The Past Perfect Tense is a verb form that is used to describe an action that took place before another action or a specific point in the past.
• The Past Perfect Tense is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle form of the main verb (e.g., had + eaten).
• Time expressions like “before,” “by the time,” “already,” “until,” and “hadn’t” are commonly used with the Past Perfect Tense.
• The Simple Past Tense describes an action that happened at a specific point in the past, while the Past Perfect Tense describes an action that occurred before another past action.
• “Hadn’t” is the contraction of “had not” and is used in negative sentences (e.g., “She hadn’t finished her work.”). “Didn’t” is the contraction of “did not” and is used in negative sentences in the Simple Past Tense (e.g., “She didn’t finish her work.”).
• Yes, the Past Perfect Tense can be used in reported speech to convey information that was said or thought in the past (e.g., “He said he had already seen the movie.”).
• Yes, adverbs like “already,” “just,” “never,” “yet,” and others can be used with the Past Perfect Tense to provide additional information about the timing of the action.

Free Grammar and Vocabulary Worksheets Resources

• Worksheet Tenses
• English Worksheets
• Action Verbs Worksheets
• Past Perfect Tense Worksheets

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Daily Routines – Past Tense

List of Daily Routines in the Past Simple Tense in English

(You can hear the pronunciation of each daily routine in the video)

• I turned off my alarm
• I took a shower / I had a shower
• I got dressed
• I combed my hair
• I made breakfast
• I ate breakfast / I had breakfast
• I brushed my teeth
• I went to work
• I started work at 9
• I answered emails
• I ate lunch / I had lunch
• I worked on my computer
• I finished work at 5
• I went home
• I arrived home
• I fed the dog
• I cooked dinner
• I ate dinner / I had dinner
• I watched TV
• I read a book
• I went to bed
• I fell asleep

Daily routines for School

• I went to school
• I had classes
• I finished school at 3
• I did my homework

Notice how in this lesson all of these phrases are in the past simple tense and have I (first person singular) as the subject.

Practice Exercises

Video practice: At the end of the video there is a practice exercise where a cartoon of a daily routine appears on the screen. There are also three phrases in the past tense next to the cartoon and you must choose which phrase best describes that activity. The answer will appear after 5 seconds (approximately).

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Past Perfect Tense

• Forming Past Perfect Simple
• Use of Past Perfect Simple
• Vocabulary related to Past Perfect Simple
• Forming Past Perfect Continuous
• Use of Past Perfect Continuous
• Past Perfect compared to other tenses
• Instructions
• Follow-up questions

Introduction

The Past Perfect tense is often feared by students. It is one of the complicated tenses. However, it is not that tricky. This chapter examines the Past Perfect Simple and the Past Perfect Continuous. Let’s first look at the way they are formed and then the situations in which we use them.

1 Past perfect simple

The Past Perfect Simple expresses what happened before the past event – hence the name Past Perfect. Therefore, this tense rarely occurs without the context:

• How do we know which part of a sentence the Past Perfect Simple will be in? It is in the one where the first event happened. Something happened in the past (I went to the party – Past tense), but BEFORE that I was doing something (I had bought a gift – Past Perfect).

Before we talk in more detail about the situations in which we use this tense, let’s explore its formation.

1.1 Forming Past Perfect Simple

What do we need to form Past Perfect Simple? subject + auxiliary verb HAD + regular verb with -ed / 3. form of irregular verb

• The negative of the Past Perfect Simple is formed by adding NOT to the auxiliary verb HAD (I had not exercised.) HAD (I had not exercised.)
• The short form is HADN‘T (I hadn‘t exercised.)

• When forming a question, we just switch the subject of the sentence with the auxiliary verb HAD

1.2 Use of Past Perfect Simple

When do we use the Past Perfect Simple? When something had happened before a certain moment in the past

• As can be seen from the sentence, the doctor first examined the patient and then recommended more movement.

• As we can see from the sentence, firstly, she left her purse at home and then had to return for it.

• Here, for example, is a mother who makes sure that her son did his homework and then went to the cinema.

1.3 Vocabulary related to Past Perfect Simple

The Past Perfect Simple is characterized by the frequent use of the following adverbs:

AFTER, WHEN Both of these adverbs can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle:

• When I had finished cooking , I called my friend.
• I called my friend after I had finished cooking .

BEFORE The adverb BEFORE can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle.

• Before I went to lunch, I had had an interview .
• I had had an interview before I went to lunch.

In the case that an event took place at a particular time, the Past Perfect Simple is not a rerequisite and we can use the Past Simple tense. The same is true for the adverb AFTER. Therefore, both of these options are possible:

• I had seen them only once in 2015 before I went on a road trip with them in 2017.
• I saw them only once in 2015 before I went on a road trip with them in 2017.

However, if it is not an event occurring at a particular time, we need to use the Ppat Perfect Simple. In the following sentence we see that this is not an event, but an experience:

• Not: I worked for several companies before I started working for you.

We use the conjunction BECAUSE for so-called reason sentences. The subordinate clause is in the Past Perfect Simple if we want to express that it had happened before a certain moment in the past. Again, we can place it at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle:

• Because I hadn’t studied , I failed the test.
• I failed the test because I hadn’t studied .

We often come across related subordinate clauses:

• The girl, who I had met last summer , called me.
• The movie which you had recommended to me was really good!

The Past Perfect also appears with object subordinate sentences:

• I realized that somebody had broken into our house .

2 Past Perfect Continuous

If you have studied the rules about the Past Perfect Simple, the Past Perfect Continuous won’t be so complicated for you. While we can tell by the Past Perfect Simple what had happened at a particular moment in the past, the Past Perfect Continuous serves to tell us what had been happening before a certain moment in the past.

• We emphasize the course of this event- so we also add that it took the whole afternoon.

Before we take a closer look at the situations in which we use this tense, let’s explain how it is formed.

2.1 Forming Past Perfect Continuous

What do we need to form Past Perfect Continuous? subject + HAD + BEEN + action verb with ending -ING + rest of sentence

• We create the negative form by putting NOT after HAD (the auxiliary verb)
• The short form is HADN‘T (You hadn’t been waiting (nečekal jsi)).

• We form a question by switching the subject with the auxiliary verb HAD
• The verb BEEN follows the subject:

2.2 Use of Past Perfect Continuous

Now we know how to form Past Perfect Continuous, we can now look at the situations where we use it:

We are talking about something that has been going on for some time before a specific point in the past

• The exercise has lasted for two hours and it made the person exhausted.

We want to emphasize the duration of a certain event We don’t just use only Past Perfect Continuous with a specific expression of time. We also use it when we want to say that the event took a longer time:

• They had been playing really well (all the time) before the football match was cancelled.

We are talking about a state that was caused by a certain event

• He was wet (state) because it had been raining the whole afternoon (event).

3 Past tense compared to other tenses

Now let’s look at the same sentence in different tenses. Notice how its meaning changes.

• The actions happened one after the other, we use simple past tense.
• His activity was in progress at the moment I entered the room, so we use past continuous tense.
• Father had completed the activity before I entered the room. To express this sequence, we use past perfect tense.

4 Practicing past perfect tense

Try the following exercises and test your newly acquired knowledge.

4.1 Instructions

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in past and past perfect tense:

1) By the time I __________ (arrive) at the party, everyone __________ (leave). 2) She __________ (study) for two hours before she __________ (take) a break. 3) They __________ (already eat) by the time we __________ (get) to the restaurant. 4) The movie __________ (start) before we __________ (arrive) at the cinema. 5) He __________ (never see) a bear before he __________ (go) to Alaska.

Exercise 2: Sentence transformation

Change the following sentences to the past perfect tense:

1) I woke up early this morning. 2) They started the project last week. 3) She bought a new car yesterday. 4) He had a sandwich for lunch. 5) We went to bed late last night.

Exercise 3: Answers the questions Answer the following questions in the past perfect tense:

1) Had you ever been to New York before your trip last year? – Yes,… 2) Had she finished the book before she saw the movie? – Yes,… 3) Had they seen the movie before they read the book? – No,… 4) Had he eaten breakfast before he left for work? – Yes,… 5) Had we met before the party last week? – No,…

4.2 Solution

Exercise 1: Filling in the blanks with the correct verb form

1) By the time arrived at the party, everyone had left . 2) She had studied / had been studying for two hours before she took a break. 3) They had already eaten by the time we got to the restaurant. 4) The movie had started before we arrived at the cinema. 5) He had never seen a bear before he went to Alaska.

1) I had woken up early this morning. 2) They had started the project last week. 3) She had bought a new car yesterday. 4) He had had a sandwich for lunch. 5) We had gone to bed late last night.

Exercise 3: Answering questions

1) Had you ever been to New York before your trip last year? Yes, I had been to New York before my trip last year. 2) Had she finished the book before she saw the movie? Yes, she had finished the book before she saw the movie. 3) Had they seen the movie before they read the book? No, they had not seen the movie before they read the book. 4) Had he eaten breakfast before he left for work? Yes, he had eaten breakfast before he left for work. 5) Had we met before the party last week? No, we had not met before the party last week.

5 A story using Past Perfect Tense

And what does the past perfect tense look like in the context of a story? Read and listen to the story. Do you dare to try the comprehension questions too?

Alice had always dreamed of becoming a successful author, but it wasn’t until she had graduated from college that she started to pursue her passion for writing. After completing a few short stories, she had decided to write her first novel. For months, Alice had been working tirelessly, pouring her heart and soul into her writing. She had spent countless hours researching and developing her characters, creating the perfect plot, and editing and revising her work.By the time Alice had submitted her manuscript to various publishing houses, she had been writing for over a year. During this time, she had faced many rejections and setbacks, but she had never given up. She had continued to work hard, honing her craft, and perfecting her novel.

Finally, after what had felt like an eternity, Alice had received an email from a publishing house expressing their interest in publishing her book. She had been overjoyed, and the hours, days, and months she had spent writing had all been worth it. Alice had been ecstatic to see her dream come to fruition.

From that day on, Alice had been known as a successful author, and her book had become a bestseller. Looking back, she had realized that all the hard work, dedication, and perseverance had been worth it.

5.1 Follow-up questions

5.2 answers.

Alice had been dreaming of becoming a successful author.

Alice had started pursuing her passion for writing after graduating from college.

Yes, Alice had completed a few short stories before deciding to write her first novel.

Alice had been working tirelessly on her writing for months.

Alice had spent countless hours researching and developing her characters, creating the perfect plot, and editing and revising her work.

By the time Alice submitted her manuscript to publishing houses, she had been writing for over a year.

Yes, Alice had faced many rejections and setbacks during her writing process.

Alice had continued to work hard, honing her craft and perfecting her novel.

Alice had been writing for over a year before receiving an email from a publishing house expressing their interest in publishing her book.

Alice had realized that all the hard work, dedication, and perseverance had been worth it when looking back on her journey to becoming a successful author.

Exercise on Simple Past and Past Perfect

Exceptions 1.

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Perfect).

• The removal van arrived had arrived before they finished had finished packing.
• Before they moved had moved to this town, they lived had lived in Chicago.
• After the kids ate had eaten their lunch, they took had taken a little nap.
• After school we always met had always met at the youth club.
• Soon after sunrise we cycled had cycled to an observation point that I never hear had never heard of before.
• When I came had come home, my mother already prepared had already prepared dinner.
• When Monica finished had finished her homework, she went had gone out to play with her friends.
• When we met had met Andrew, we told had ask him about our plans.

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The English Compound Tenses Grammar Guide

English compound tenses allow you to discuss very specific moments in time, from the past through the future. They allow you to discuss events that were finished ages ago, or events that will be continuing for years and years.

Whether you’re telling stories, making plans or just chatting about your day, you’ll need English compound tenses to communicate like a native speaker would.

Fortunately, understanding compound tenses isn’t too complicated.

In this post, we’ll walk you through what English compound tenses are, the nine English compound tenses and how to practice them.

What Are the Compound Tenses in English?

1. present continuous, 2. present perfect, 3. present perfect continuous, 4. past continuous, 5. past perfect, 6. past perfect continuous, 7. future continuous, 8. future perfect, 9. future perfect continuous, how to practice the english compound tenses, and one more thing....

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You may already be familiar with the English simple tenses : simple past, simple present and simple future. In the simple past and simple present, you only need to conjugate the action verb. In the simple future, you just need to add “will” before the action verb without changing that verb.

Compound tenses, on the other hand, often involve the addition of an auxiliary verb (“to be” or “to have”) in front of the conjugated action verb . These tenses give more specific information about when the action occurred, started or completed.

You could think of the simple tenses as the starter deck of a card game, and the compound tenses as the new and latest expansion pack.

For example, listen to the third sentence in this video, where a man explains what it is like to fall out of love .

It was the saddest text I have ever gotten in my life.

The first verb ( was ) is in the simple past tense and should look quite familiar to you. It implies that the receipt of the sad text happened at a certain point in the past.

The second verb ( have gotten ) is a compound tense that provides deeper information about this person’s past. Together with “It was the saddest text…,” it’s saying that, at that point in time, it was the saddest text they have ever received, and they have yet to get something sadder than the text.

The present continuous tense is used to denote an event that is currently taking place. If you wish to talk about things as they are happening, you should use this tense.

For example, if someone asks “what are you doing?,” you typically need to answer in the present continuous tense.

To form this tense, here’s the formula:

simple present tense of “to be” conjugated for your subject ( I am , he is , you are , etc.) + your action verb with the suffix “-ing”

For instance, let us say we want to describe a singer’s performance as it is happening. Our action verb is “sing,” and our subject is “she.” We could say:

She is singing beautifully.

The verb “to be” is conjugated in the simple present tense for “she,” and we added “-ing” to the verb “sing.” As you’ll see throughout this post, the “-ing” suffix is a good indicator that you are in a continuous tense—meaning the action is  continuous (ongoing, still happening).

In the following examples, keep your eye out for the auxiliary verb and the “-ing” suffix that modifies the original verb:

I am writing a letter to Marta.

Rohan is watering the plants.

They are sleeping in the guest room.

You are not paying attention in class.

We are playing a video game.

This tense is used to describe ongoing actions. The action might be finished or might still be continuing depending on the context.

To form the present perfect, use the following formula:

simple present tense of “to have” conjugated for your subject ( I have , she has , they have , etc.) + the past participle form of the action verb

Here’s an example with the action verb “choose.” The past participle of “choose” is “chosen.”

You have chosen the wrong book.

You’ll often hear this tense used with words like “just” to explain precisely when a recent event happened.

I have just eaten my lunch.

You can also use this tense with “since” + [specific point in time] or “for” + [length of time] to explain how long something has been true.

She has felt sick for three days.

They have been friends since 2010.

Here are more examples. Keep an eye out for the auxiliary verbs and past participles.

I have just finished my research paper.

They have lived in this apartment since before I was born.

Trina has visited  already.

This compound tense is used to denote an ongoing (or  continuous ) action that started a while ago. For example, if you were having a lazy Sunday watching TV all day long, you might use this tense to describe your day.

For this tense, you need to use this formula:

present form of “to have” + “been” + action verb with “-ing”

Here’s how it would work with the verb “to crave” (to want something very badly, particularly food).

I have been craving ice cream all week.

Here are some more examples:

I have been binge watching  “Doctor Who” all day.

You have been missing  work lately.

We have been working tirelessly on this project.

Laura has been writing the company newsletter for a while.

They have been stealing from the office all this time.

This tense is used to represent an action that was ongoing for a while, but has finished.

The action isn’t happening right now, but it was happening in the past. Think of this as the way you recall a vivid memory. The events have already taken place, but you’re remembering them like a film being played in front of you.

To use this tense, here’s the formula:

simple past tense of “to be” conjugated for your subject ( I was , you were , etc.) + your action verb with the suffix “-ing”

For instance, I can say:

I was singing at the concert last night.

This means that although I have finished singing now, there was an extended period last night when I was singing.

Sheila was playing the flute all morning.

They were laughing at his jokes nonstop.

You were eating a pizza when I saw you.

The water was boiling , so I knew it was time to put the pasta in.

The past perfect is used to describe actions that were finished  before another event took place.

It is formed as follows:

“had” + past participle of the action verb

If you were telling a story, and you wanted to “set the scene” to explain what happened before the main action of the story, you could say something like:

I had gone to bed when I heard a strange noise at my door.

“Gone” is the past participle of the verb “to go,” while “I heard” is in the simple past tense. You will often see these two tenses—the past perfect and simple past—paired together in this way.

I had tried the violin but quickly stopped practicing.

Rhea had dozed off when the bell woke her up.

They had eaten their dinner before the stranger arrived.

We had completed the picture in the morning so we went to the park in the evening to relax.

This tense is similar to the past perfect, but the word “continuous” should give you a clue as to how it is different.

Use this tense to describe ongoing actions that have already been completed at some point in the past. For example, if you want to talk about a bad habit that you no longer have, you might use this tense.

Here’s how we put together this tense:

“had” + “been” + the action verb with the “-ing” suffix

Let’s use the bad habit example. Our action verb is “to smoke.”

I had been smoking so many cigarettes my doctor told me I had no choice but to quit.

The next few examples should make this even clearer:

You had been skipping class for over a week before the school called your parents.

They had been drinking on the sly until Max caught them.

Vina had been making a toy cart when her brother returned home.

We had been working overtime for over a month until the manager promised us a pay rise.

This tense is used to denote an ongoing action that will only be completed much later. In other words, the action has not even happened yet, but we are expecting it to happen.

If you wish to talk about your life plans or projects you have coming up, you would likely use the future continuous tense.

To write in this tense, just follow this formula:

“will be” + the action verb with the “-ing” suffix

Here is an example with the verb “to sing.”

I will be singing at the concert tomorrow evening.

In the above, I am talking about a continuous action that I expect to take place in the future.

Here are some more examples to understand how the future continuous looks:

He will be studying math when he starts college.

They will be headlining a major music festival next month.

We should leave now. The roads  will be getting icy soon.

We use this tense to talk about an action that has not yet taken place as though it had already been completed. In other words, we are looking forward to when a particular action or event will be finished.

For example, you might use this tense when making a promise to someone or when setting a deadline on a project.

To form this tense:

 “ will ” + “ have ” + past participle form of the action verb

Here is an example that you might remember from your school days:

Mom, I will have finished my homework before I go to the movies!

Again, there are two events happening in the sentence (finishing homework and going to the movies), and the future perfect is the one that will be completed first.

Let’s meet at noon. I will have submitted my report by then.

He will have eaten his pizza before the rest of the group shows up.

We will have built this house by the time our children are in school.

Finally, we use this tense to talk about a continuous event that has already started and is expected to last until a certain point in the future. In other words, the action will be continuing until or before another event takes place.

For this tense, we use this formula:

“will have” + “been” + the action verb with the suffix “-ing”

For instance, I could say:

By 9:00, I will have been waiting here for two hours.

This means that the action of “waiting” is taking place both in the present and in the future, until 9:00.

These examples will give you an idea about the context in which the future perfect continuous is usually used:

By next spring, you will have been living in this town for five years.

We will have been working here for nine months in December.

By the end of this year, they will have been playing as a rock band for over a decade.

As you get familiar with the above named English compound tenses, there are online exercises and worksheets where you can practice to make sure you understand them.

Try this tenses exercise from EnglishGrammar , where you have to read a sentence with missing verbs and choose the correct simple or compound tense for the verbs. You could also try this series of verb tense worksheets from Agenda Web.

The best way to improve your English compound tenses is to speak and write on a variety of topics using all of the different tenses. Try keeping a diary where you can talk about yourself, the things you do or the events of the day. You can also record yourself discussing what happened this week and what your plans are for the future. Don’t just stick to the simple tenses; instead, try to use each of the compound tenses as much as possible.

If you’re reading a book or an article , try to spot the compound tenses being used for different contexts. Create a study plan , make a list of participles and auxiliary verbs and mix them up.

Above all, don’t be afraid of making mistakes and trust in yourself. With the help of this guide, the English compound tenses will eventually become second nature to you!

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Adverb Clause of Time And Exercises

You might know that an adverb clause is a  dependent clause  that functions as an adverb in a sentence. There are different kinds of adverb clauses in English; in addition, the subordinators can distinguish the different types of adverb clauses. In this lesson, you will learn how to use an adverb clause of time.

Adverb Clause of Time

The adverb clause connectors, such as after, before, when, while/as, by the time, since, until/till, as soon as/once, as long as/so long as, and whenever can be used to form adverb clauses of time. Examples:

• After I am done with my homework, I will study the adverb clause of time.
• As soon as we finish Step 4, we will start the TOEFL iBT preparation program.
• As long as some troublemakers exist around here , you will not be able to improve your business.

Related Articles:

• Adverb Clause Of Contrast/ Concession 
• Adverb Clause Of Purpose
• How To Use Adverb Clause Of Reason/ Cause?

Exercise 1:

Directions: Complete the following. Pay special attention to verb tenses.

• Last night, I went to bed after I ______________________________my homework.
• Tonight, I will go to bed after I _________________________my homework.
• Ever since I was a child, I ____________________________________ afraid of dogs.
• Jacquie’s contact lens popped out while she _____________________basketball.
• Be sure to reread your composition for errors before you _________________ it in to the teacher tomorrow.
• By the time, I left my apartment this morning, the mail carrier __________________________ the mail.
• I have known my best friend since her _____________________________ ten years old.
• A black cat ran across the road as I ____________________________my car to work this morning.
• By the time I leave this city, I _______________________________ here for four months.
• Whenever Mike __________________________________ angry, his nose gets red.
• I ____________________________ to the beach whenever the weather was nice, but now I do not have time to do that because I have to study.
• We will have a big party when __________________________________.
• The next time I ______________________________to Hawaii, I’m going to visit Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano.
• I had fried chicken the last time I ____________________________ at that restaurant.

Exercise 2:

Directions: Make sentences with until from the given situations.

• I can’t pay my bills. I haven’t gotten my paycheck yet.

        I can’t pay my bills until my paycheck comes.

• We can’t leave yet. We have to wait for Carmen.
• Tell me the truth, or I am not going to leave this room.
• Finally, he arrived. Before that, it had been a dull party.
• Dinner won’t be ready for a while. I think we should just sit here by the fire.
• When I go to bed at night, I like to read. After a while, I get sleepy.

Exercise 3:

Directions: Combine the ideas by using either as soon as or once . ( As soon as and once basically have the same meaning. but as soon as is more immediate. Often, just is used with as soon as to emphasize the idea of “immediately”:

• I’ll call him just as soon as I get home.
• The taxi will get here in five minutes or so. Then we can leave for the airport.

      As soon as the taxi gets here, we can leave for the airport.

• The rice will be done in about ten minutes. Immediately after that, we can eat.
• First, I have to graduate. Then I can return home.
• Spring will come and the weather will be nice again. Then we can start playing tennis every morning before class.
• My roommate walked into the room. Immediately, I knew that something was wrong.
• Your English will get better. Then you will begin to feel more comfortable living in the United States.
• Immediately after the singer finished her song, the audience burst into applause.
• I’m watching a baseball game on TV, but it will be over in a few minutes. Then I’ll take out the garbage.

Exercise 4:

Directions: Using the given information, make a sentence in which you use just after, just before , or just as . Notice that just adds the idea of “immediately.”

• I got to the airport at 8:15. My plane left ten minutes later. I got to the airport just before my plane left.
• You shouldn’t eat a heavy meal and then go to bed immediately afterward.
• I went to bed at 11:00. The phone rang at 11:05.
• We were sitting down to eat. At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
• I was getting on the bus. At that moment, I remembered that I had left my briefcase at home.
• I got up to give my speech. Immediately before that, I got butterflies in my stomach.
• The guests will come at 7:00. At 6:55, I’ll light the candles.
• I was bending over to pick up my pencil. My pants split.

Exercise 1.

• Last night, I went to bed after I did my homework.
• Tonight, I will go to bed after I do my homework.
• Ever since I was a child, I was afraid of dogs.
• Jacquie’s contact lens popped out while she was playing
• Be sure to reread your composition for errors before you give it to the teacher tomorrow.
• By the time I left my apartment this morning, the mail carrier had sent the mail.
• I have known my best friend since she was ten years old.
• A black cat ran across the road as I was driving my car to work this morning.
• By the time I leave this city, I will be here for four months.
• Whenever Mike is angry, his nose gets red.
• I was going to the beach whenever the weather was nice, but now I don’t have time to do that because I have to study.
• We will have a big party when you come .
• The next time I go to Hawaii, I’m going to visit Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano.
• I had fried chicken the last time I was at that restaurant.

Exercise 2.

• I can’t pay my bills until my paycheck comes.
• We can’t leave yet until Carmen come.
• Tell me the truth, until I leave this room.
• Finally, he arrived until it had been a dull party.
• Dinner won’t be ready for a while until we sit here by the fire.
• When I go to bed at night, I like to read until I get sleepy.

Exercise 3.

• As soon as the taxi gets here, we can leave for the airport.
• As soon as the rice is done, after that, we can eat.
• As soon as I graduate, I can return home.
• One the spring comes the weather will be nice again and then we can start playing tennis every morning before class.
• Once my roommate walked into the room immediately, then I knew that something was wrong.
• Once your English gets better, then you will feel more comfortable living in the United States.
• As soon as the singer finished her song, the audience burst into applause.
• I am watching a baseball game on TV, but as soon as it’s over, I’ll take out the garbage.

Exercise 4.

• I got to the airport just before my plane left.
• You shouldn’t go to the bed just after eating a heavy meal.
• I went to the bed just before the phone rang.
• Just as we sat down to eat, someone knocked on the door.
• Just as I got on the bus, I remember that I had left my briefcase at home.
• I got butterflies in my stomach just before I got up to give my speech.
• I will light the candles just before the guests come.
• My pants split just as I bent myself to pick up my pencil.

Conclusion:

Attempt the adverb clause of time exercises, then compare your answers with the given answers above. In addition, please feel free to write your feedback about the article (adverb clause of time) using the comment section below.

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Last night, I went to bed after I ______________________________my homework. Tonight, I will go to bed after I _________________________my homework. Ever since I was a child, I ____________________________________ afraid of dogs. Jacquie’s contact lens popped out while she _____________________basketball. Be sure to reread your composition for errors before you _________________ it in to the teacher tomorrow. By the time, I left my apartment this morning, the mail carrier __________________________ the mail. I have known my best friend since her _____________________________ ten years old. A black cat ran across the road as I ____________________________my car to work this morning. By the time I leave this city, I _______________________________ here for four months. Whenever Mike __________________________________ angry, his nose gets red. I ____________________________ to the beach whenever the weather was nice, but now I do not have time to do that because I have to study. We will have a big party when __________________________________. The next time I ______________________________to Hawaii, I’m going to visit Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. I had fried chicken the last time I ____________________________ at that restaurant.

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Time Clauses: Useful Examples of Time Clauses in English

Time clauses!!! Time clause is usually used for adverbial clauses which link an event in that clause to another event in the main clause in a time relationship. This clause is used to answer the question when ?

Time Clauses

When, while, as soon as, after, before, and until are conjunctions of time. We use these words to introduce time clauses to tell when something happens.

Time clauses can come after or before the main clause. When they come before, they are followed by a comma. But if the main clauses come first, no comma is used.

Time Clauses Examples:

• Let’s cross the bridge when  we come to it.
• When  the cat’s away, the mice will play.
• We’ll keep on driving while  there’s still daylight.
• While  she’s away, I’ve got the run of her house.
• As soon as  I was on board, I began to have second thoughts about leaving.
• The baby can cry  as soon as  he is born.
• After I had finished my homework, I went to bed.
• He will go home after he has finished his work.
• Don’t count your chickens  before  they are hatched.
• Chew your food up thoroughly  before  you swallow it.
• Cook the lentils for 20 minutes  until  they swell and soften.
• We played cards to kill time  until  the bus came.
• Always lock your car   whenever  you leave it.
• Whenever  you see an officer, you must salute.
• Making an omelet is easy once you’ve got the knack .
• Once  I start eating chocolate, I can’t stop.
• Dad looked sad and worried  as  he read the letter.
• As  you approach the town, you’ll see the college on the left.
• Susan has changed a lot  since  I last saw her.
• Since  I’ll be away, I’d like to reschedule the meeting.
• By the time  she was eight, she could read Greek and Latin.
• Mark knew he was gay  by the time  he was fourteen.
• He’ll keep the book for me  till  I come back.
• You never know how much you miss them  till  they’re gone.
• Every time  I ask him about it, I get a different answer.
• He gently chides his students  every time  they misspelled a word.

Time Clauses | Infographic

Time Clauses with Examples

Last Updated on June 24, 2021

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