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Past Perfect

>> The past perfect tense is used to show that an action happened before another action in the past.

It can also be used to show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

- How to Form The Past Perfect Tense

>> To form the past perfect tense you use the past tense of the verb "to have," which is "had," and add it to the past participle of the main verb.

>> In summary: had + past participle = past perfect tense.

- When to Use the Past Perfect Tense

>> To show that an action happened before another action in the past:

(i) She stayed up all night because she HAD RECEIVED bad news.

(ii) They won many of the games because they HAD PRACTISED enough.

(iii) Anthony HAD MET Ryan before you introduced him to us at the party.

(iv) He HAD STUDIED Italian before he moved to Rome.

>> To show that an action happened before a specific time in the past:

(i) She HAD ESTABLISHED her company before 2008.

(ii) They HAD GOTTEN engaged before last year.

>> Keep in mind that past perfect tense makes it clear that one thing happened before another in the past.

The order of events does not matter since the tense makes it clear which event happened first.

So, complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense of the verb in bracket.

Reminder: had + past participle = past perfect.

I wish you all the best!

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English exercise "Past Perfect" created by anuesther with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from anuesther]
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1. He (drive) only twice in his life before the accident.

2. I tried to find Mr. Jones but he wasn't around. Then I later found out that he (move).

3. After they (pack) their backpacks, they rode away on their bikes.

4. Jerry helped his grandma in the house because his father (tell) him so.

5. Before the students started to write, the teacher (collect) their phones.

6. After Max (finish) his breakfast, he left the flat.

7. She (live) in Sweden before she went to Heathrow.

8. The cat hid under the chair because the children (be) so loud.

9. By the time the show began, all friends (arrive).

10. Laura repaired her glasses because her brother (break) them.