The palette of the English tense system is simply replete with diversity. Some of the shades shine brighter, some dimmer. One of the most intense can be called Past Perfect. How, with the help of grammatical structures and lexical diversity of this time, can we make speech expressive?
The past completed tense, as Russian-speaking “students” often call it, carries a certain sense of completeness. In other words, for example, when describing an event, we often make comments about what happened before the main action. “When mom came, I was already asleep” - there are two past tenses in this sentence - “came”, “fell asleep”. Which one happened first? The second means that we will express it Past Perfect.
Education
The form of this tense is one of the simplest. So, you need an auxiliary verb "had" + V 3 or Ved. We remember that all verbs in English can be grouped into regular and irregular. The latter have 3 forms, which, well, what can you do, you have to learn by heart. All of them are placed in the table of irregular verbs. At this time we will need the 3rd column - V 3. If the verb is correct (it is not in the table), then we add the ending -ed.
I had worked. - work - regular verb
I had taught. — teach is an irregular verb.
Let's take a closer look at the formation of all types of sentences in the past perfect using the example of to ask.
In writing, and in colloquial speech, abbreviated forms are often used to facilitate the process of perception.
I had = I’d, you had = you’d, he had = he’d
had not = hadn’t
I had written a composition by six o’clock. = I’d written a composition by six o’clock. — I wrote the essay by 6 o’clock.
I had not written a composition by six o’clock. = I hadn’t written a composition by six o’clock. — I didn’t write my essay by 6 o’clock.
As you can see, there is nothing scary or complicated in education. It’s worth remembering once that in a question had is placed before the subject, and in negation not is added to this auxiliary verb. It is important to remember that had is not translated.
Using The Past Perfect Tense
This time is not difficult to use, if only you clearly understand the situations of its use. Some sentences often use signal words such as just, already, never, yet.
1. The action ended before another event in the past. The sentence can be complex (consist of two), one of which (the dependent) is introduced by the conjunctions when, before, after, or simple, in which the preposition by is used as an indicator of the end of the action.
- Using prepositions by the end of the year, by 3 o’clock, by Monday, by the time, before, after.
They had finally got their long-awaited pay rise by the end of the year. — By the end of the year, they finally received the long-awaited increase in salary.
Before he opened the door, he had called his sister. — Before he opened the door, he called his sister.
By that time they had finished their work. “By that time they had already finished their work.
- Often used designs no sooner … than (as soon as, so), hardly … when (hardly, how), scarcely … when (as soon as, so immediately), barely … when (hardly, how), which in their meaning can transform a sentence (inversion). As a rule, they are emotional in nature.
I had scarcely opened the window when the wind came blowing in. — As soon as I opened the window, the wind immediately began to blow.
Jack had no sooner arrived than he was told to come back. — Jack didn’t have time to arrive when he was told to return.
- If there is no signal word in the sentence, then you will have to carefully read the context .
I tried to wake up Ann this morning. But, there was no answer. She had gone out. — I tried to call Anna this morning. But there was no answer. She's already gone.
The rules for the Past Perfect are as follows: context patterns, remembering which it will be easier for you to use the desired form.
A. Following designs: this/that/it was, the first/second/only/best/worst time smth happend:
It was the second serious mistake he had made in that job. - This was his second serious mistake that he made in his work.
Those were the first things she had bought since Chrismas. — It was the first thing she bought since Christmas.
B. With verbs that convey hope, plan, expectation, intention (but not fulfilled).
I had intended to visit a museum, but I ran out of time. — I was going to visit the museum, but I didn’t have enough time.
C. In indirect speech, with verbs such as say, tell, ask, inform, wonder. Moreover, the Past Perfect is used in a subordinate clause.
I wondered if Jim had a chance to discuss the problem with them. — I asked if Jim had the opportunity to discuss this problem with them.
2. An action that began before another action but is still ongoing. Stative verbs or, as they are also called, non continuous verbs are often used here. All the little secrets of these verbs are revealed in the article ““.
I knew he had been married for nearly 50 years ago. — I knew that he got married about 50 years ago.
George made no answer and we found that he had fallen asleep for some time. — George did not answer, and we discovered that he had been sleeping for some time.
How to distinguish the Past Perfect from other tenses?
| Past Perfect | Past Simple | Present Perfect |
| When the sequence of actions is broken (the action precedes). Before I ate, I played and slept. Verb in the main clause in the past simple | Everything goes in order (actions are performed chronologically) Played, slept, ate. | When the action in the main clause is in the present |
| Was Ann at home when he came? No, she had already gone to work. — Was Anya at home when he came? No, she already left for work (first she left, then he came) | Was Ann at home when he came? Yes, but she went to work soon. — Was Anya at home when he came? Yes, but soon she left for work. (I came, then left - actions one after another) | |
| I wasn't thirsty. I had drunk a cup of tea. - I didn't feel like drinking. I've just had a cup of tea. | I' m not thirsty. I' I'm just drunk a cup of tea. - I don't feel like drinking. I've just had a cup of tea. | |
| His car was dirty. He hadn't washed it for weeks. Yesterday he cleaned it. — His car was so dirty. He hasn't washed it for weeks. Yesterday he washed it. | His car is dirty. He hasn't washed it for weeks. — His car is so dirty. He hasn't washed it for weeks. |
According to the rules for the Past Perfect, this tense can be used in the passive voice. All uses Past Perfect Passive the same, but the shape of the structure is slightly different. Negation and question are built on the same principle as in the active voice (after had - not, and the auxiliary verb had before the underlying)
I + had + been + V3 (Ved)
He (she, it) + had + been + V3 (Ved)
You + had + been + V3 (Ved)
They + had + been + V3 (Ved)
We + had + been + V3 (Ved)
I had been introduced to his friends before. “I was introduced to his friends earlier.”
By three o’clock the dinner had been cooked. — By 3 o’clock dinner was ready.
This article was translated when they phoned. — The article was translated when they called.
Well, as you can see, Past Perfect grammar is not too complicated. You look at the sentence, determine which action happened first, and put in the correct form. If you learn to use this time correctly, then believe me, you can tell any story or simply retell a story in English without any problems.
Hello, hello, my dears.
There are only three tenses in the Russian language. And the past is just the past, without any additions. But in English everything is much more complicated. Have you heard about Past Perfect? Such a small and completely inconspicuous brother of the painful Present Perfect for many.
So, if this “miracle” caused you any difficulties - or maybe you have never heard of it at all - then today I will tell you everything. Past Perfect: rules and examples- topic of the lesson. We are waiting for an explanation of the rules, many, many examples, but there will be exercises. After all, practice takes a lot of time.
How is it formedPast Perfect
Construction affirmative proposals in this tense is identical to the formation in the present perfect tense with minor changes. In short, the diagram looks like this:
Subject +had + V3 + Object.
She had done her homework by 9 p. m. - She had done her homework by 9 pm.
They had already visited the place before. - They have already come to this place before.
Let's take a short break here! Because I hope you remember that V3 is the third form of the verb. We simply add an ending to regular verbs – ed, but we remember by heart and use the form from the third column!
I will not be too lazy to remind you that English grammar can be studied in a very interesting and exciting way with the help of the course « Grammar for Beginners» or online intensive « Competently, like Shakespeare» , which is offered by the online English learning service that has gained well-deserved popularity. Lingualeo.
WITH negative sentences everything is even simpler - we just add a piece not.
Subject +had not + V3 + Object.
I hadn't had breakfast before I set off to the university. -I Not had breakfast before, how go V university.
I hadn't ’ t slept until my parents came back home. - I didn’t sleep until my parents returned home.
IN interrogative sentence the structure changes to the following:
Had +subject+V3+An object?
Had you washed your hands before you started eating the dinner? -You washed hands before those, How begin have supper?
Had you done the task before you went out to meet with your friends? -You did exercise before those, How go meet with his friend?
When to usePast Perfect
That’s what, and with understanding when to use the Past Perfect, neither I nor my students have ever had any problems. After all, everything is absolutely simple. Usually this rule is studied in the 8th grade, when students already have sufficient vocabulary, and explaining the rule does not become a test for children.
The first and most important rule:
- Past Perfect used to describe a situation that has already ended BEFORE some other action occurred in the past.
The action that had already finished before another action happened.
I was on my way to work when I remembered (action in the past) that I had forgotten (preceding action) the presentation on the table. -IwasonwaysTowork, WhenIremembered, Whatforgotpresentationontable.
Theyhad already sold (preceding action) thecarwhenI called(action in the past) . - When I called, they had already sold the car.
Sometimes, instead of a specific indication of an action, there may be an indication of time.
She had finished studies by the 1st of July. -She finished classes To first July.
We had finished the event by the end of the month.- We're doneeventby the endmonths.
- Past Perfect used when stories need to describe a chain of actions relating to the past.
The policeman said that the robbers had broken the window, had stolen the picture and had run away. I was standing there and couldn’t understand what I should do. -Police officer said, What robbers smashed window, stolen picture And ran away. I stood there and couldn’t understand what I should do.
Time indicators
At any time there are indicators. To immediately recognize the Past Perfect in a sentence, look for the following words:
- Before - before; before.
- Since - since then.
- By - to.
- For - during.
- By the time - by the time.
- Just - just now.
- After - after.
- Till\Until - until then.
- Never - never.
- Already - already.
In 80% of cases, one of these words will be used in a sentence. For example:
I had already prepared my presentation by the time mother prepared the dinner. - I had already finished my presentation by the time my mother prepared dinner.
She realized that she had never been to this place before. -She Understood, What never earlier Not was V this place.
But be sure to remember one thing - past perfect- this is past tense, therefore we use it only when we talk about past events! As a rule, it most often occurs in narratives and stories.
My dears, I am sure that you will have absolutely no questions left. Now you can find thousands of videos, rules and exercises in the public domain if you need more. But I hope that I was able to close all the gaps in your knowledge regarding this topic. And it’s not the easiest, believe me! But if you still have questions, please leave a comment. I will answer each one there.
In addition, I also invite you to my newsletter, where I regularly share important and useful information from my experience. Let's learn English together!
That's all for today!
Past Perfect is used when it is important for the speaker to emphasize the completeness of an action up to a certain moment in the past, therefore, in the bulk of sentences where this tense is used, there are clear time indicators - you should pay attention to this if you are faced with the task of setting the desired type of tense form. But, let's talk about everything in order.
Using the Past Perfect
Past Perfect used to express:
- Actions that began and ended before a moment in the past. A moment can be indicated by time, another action, or a situation.
Jessica had finished her essay by then. By that time, Jessica had finished her essay.
Natalie felt wretched. She hadn't slept well for two nights. “Natalie felt defeated. She hasn't slept well the last two nights.
After everyone had left, Susan began packing hurriedly. After everyone left, Susan began to pack her things in a hurry.
- Consecutive actions that preceded a moment in the past.
Suddenly Luis realized that someone had opened the gate and had put a letter on the lawn. “Suddenly Lewis realized that someone had opened the gate and put a letter on the lawn.
Using Past Perfect instead of Past Perfect Continuous.
There is also a translation into Russian on the site.
Affirmative form
Subject + had + Infinitive without to ending in -ed (form Past Participle for irregular verbs)
1. It was late and everyone had gone home already - It was late and everyone had already gone home.
- had – auxiliary verb
- gone – Past Participle form of the irregular verb go
2. I saw him when he had just returned from his holiday - I saw him when he just returned from vacation.
- had – auxiliary verb
- returned – infinitive without to with ending -ed
3. She had woken up long before her alarm clock rang - She woke up long before her alarm clock rang.
- had – auxiliary verb
- woken – Past Participle form of the irregular verb wake
Negative form
Subject + had + not + Infinitive without to ending -ed (form Past Participle for irregular verbs)
1. It was a lovely evening. We had not seen each other for a while – It was a wonderful evening. We haven't seen each other for a while.
- had – auxiliary verb
- not – negative particle
- seen – Past Participle form of the irregular verb see
2. When he called her in the office she had not arrived yet - When he called her in the office, she had not arrived yet.
- had – auxiliary verb
- not – negative particle
- arrived – infinitive without to with ending -ed
3. I was happy he offered me a snack as I had not eaten anything - I was glad that he offered me a snack, since I had not eaten anything.
- had – auxiliary verb
- not – negative particle
- eaten – Past Participle form of the irregular verb eat
Interrogative form
had + Subject + Infinitive without to ending in -ed (form Past Participle for irregular verbs)
1. Had you signed the document before you sent it out? – Did you sign the document before you sent it? (general question)
- had is an auxiliary verb that stands still before subject to form a question
- signed – infinitive without to with ending -ed
2. Where had you been before you traveled to China? – Where were you before you went to China? (special question)
- had is an auxiliary verb that stands after question word where and before subject to
- been – Past Participle form of the irregular verb be
3. How long had you known each other before moving in together? – How long did you know each other before you started living together? (special question)
- had is an auxiliary verb that stands after question word how long and before subject to
- known – Past Participle form of the irregular verb know
#2 Uses of Past Perfect
1. To express an action in the past that happened up to a certain point in past.
- On my way to work I realized I had taken the wrong bus - On the way to work, I realized that I had taken the wrong bus. (the sentence describes a situation in the past where one action (had taken) preceded and completed before another action (realized) occurred)
- Exams started after the term had finished - Exams began after the semester ended. (the sentence describes a situation in the past where one action (had finished) preceded and ended before another action (started) occurred)
2. When listing past actions in chronological order (as they followed one after another), the Past Simple is used. If the integrity of this chain is interrupted by a mention of an action that occurred earlier, then the Past Perfect is used to express this action.
- I called the agent and asked a question about those tickets I had bought earlier - I called the agent and asked a question about the tickets I bought earlier. (in this example, the chronological order of actions that happened in the past (called, asked) is interrupted by a mention of an action that happened earlier (had bought))
- We went to a shop, then went to the cinema to watch a movie and after that arrived at the restaurant where we had reserved a table - We went to the store, then went to the cinema to watch a movie, and after that we arrived at the restaurant where we reserved table ((went, went, arrived) is interrupted by a mention of an action that happened earlier (had reserved))
3. After if, wish And would rather Past Perfect is used to express past actions that could have happened, but did not happen.
- I wish I had been there at that moment - It’s a pity that I wasn’t there then.
- I would rather they had not said that at all - I would prefer that they did not say this at all.
4. We use Past Perfect instead of Past Perfect Continuous with those verbs that are not used in the tenses of the Continuous group. Usually the Past Perfect Continuous is used when talking about an event that lasted for some time in the past before another action occurred in the past.
- She told me that they had been there for a week“She told me they were there for a week. (the verb to be is not used in Continuous tenses)
- They had known each other for 10 years before they founded their company – They knew each other 10 years before they founded their company. (the verb to know is not used in Continuous tenses)
5. Past Perfect can be used with the following temporary words and expressions: after(after), as soon as(as soon as), when(When), before(before), by the time (that)(by the time when). Please note that these words and expressions not always indicate the obligatory use of the Past Perfect.
- As soon as he had defended his dissertation they offered him a workplace - As soon as he defended his dissertation, he was offered a workplace.
- I sat down to watch TV after everyone had left - I sat down to watch TV after everyone had left.
By the time they noticed the loss the suspect had already disappeared - By the time they discovered the loss, the suspect had already disappeared.
6. To express unfulfilled hopes and desires.
- I had hoped to improve my English during that course, but I could not - I hoped to improve my English during this course, but I couldn’t.
- I had wanted to give them a call but I was so busy - I wanted to call them, but I was so busy.