Past Perfect — English But Better

Form

Type	Formula	Example
Positive	had + past participle	She had eaten* before I arrived.*
Negative	hadn't + past participle	I hadn't seen* that film before.*
Yes/No question	Had + subject + past participle?	Had you ever been there before?
Wh- question	Wh- + had + subject + past participle?	Why had* he left so early?*

Short form: I 'd eaten · She 'd left · They hadn't arrived.

Use the Past Perfect for an action that was completed before another action or time in the past.

When I arrived at the cinema, the film had already started.
→ First: film started. Then: I arrived. (Past Perfect = the earlier action)

Use	Example
Earlier of two past events	By the time she called, I had already left.
Experience up to a past moment	It was the first time I had driven* in the city.*
Reason for a past situation	She was tired because she hadn't slept.

beforeafterby the time whenalreadynever justonceas soon as

Past Simple (later action)	Past Perfect (earlier action)
I went* home…*	…after I had finished* work.*
She felt* sick…*	…because she had eaten* too much.*
He said* he…*	…had never seen* the film.*

Past Simple or Past Perfect?

1. When I arrived at the party, most people ___ (go) home.

went had gone

2. After she ___ (finish) the report, she sent it to her boss.

had finished finished

3. She was nervous because she ___ (never do) a presentation before.

never did had never done

4. By the time the ambulance arrived, the patient ___ (already / lose) consciousness.

had already lost already lost