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Past Perfect Simple

Subject + had + past participle verb phrase

The past perfect simple is used to:

  • show the order of events

  • when both events link to each other

  • the two clauses are joined with 'connectives' such as:

    • 'and'

    • 'but'

    • 'because'

    • 'so'

    • 'when'

    • 'before'

    • 'after'

Past perfect simple - Form

Subject + had + past participle verb

I had eaten...

She had drunk...

He had been...

You had seen...

We had lived...

Past perfect simple - Explain

The 'past perfect simple' is used to link events.

I had finished dinner when the phone rang.

I had finished dinner when the phone rang.

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

the phone rang

Two clauses: past perfect simple (subject + had + past participle form) and past simple.

I had finished dinner

the phone rang

The relationship between the clauses is determined by the 'connective'. 

Past perfect simple - Examples

  • Connective: and

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

the phone rang

I had finished dinner and the phone rang.

and = the two events follow each other.

  • Connective: but

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

didn't like it

I had finished dinner but didn't like it.

but = the two events contrast each other.

  • Connective: because

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

I really liked it

I had finished dinner because I really liked it.

because = the past perfect event is caused by the past simple event.

  • Connective: so

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

went out

I had finished dinner so went out.

so = the past perfect simple event causes the past simple event.

  • Connective: when

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

the phone rang

I had finished dinner when the phone rang.

when = the past simple event follows quickly from the past perfect event.

  • Connective: before

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

the film started

I had finished dinner before the film started.

before = the present perfect simple event first and past simple event is second. You are emphasising that the one event happened before the other event. 

  • Connective: after (look carefully)

I had finished dinner

Past

Now

Future

the film started

I had finished dinner after the film started.

after = the past perfect simple event happens second.

Past perfect simple - Practice

Teacher
Vocabulary - nouns

3 - 4 years old

4 - 11 years old

11 - 16 years old

16 - 18 years old

18 years +

Vocabulary - verbs

I had marked all the tests

The events are close together so the connective is 'when'.

Past

Now

Future

I spilt coffee on them all!

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I had marked all the tests when I split coffee on them.

I had planned the lesson on the computer

Past

Now

Future

lost all of the work.

I had planned the lesson on the computer but lost all of the work.

Answer

We use 'but' as the connective because the contrast is 'planned the lesson = good' and 'lost the work = bad'. The contrast is between the good event and the bad event.

Explanation

Mr. Smith had taught one lesson about the Romans

Past

Now

Future

he realised it was for next term

Mr. Smith had taught one lesson about the Romans before he realised it was for next term.

Answer

We use 'before' as the connective because we are emphasising that one event happened before the other. 

Explanation

Mrs. Jones had spoken to his mum

Past

Now

Future

he misbehaved

Mrs. Jones had spoken to his mum after he misbehaved.

Answer

'Misbehaviour' is the first event and Mrs. Jones spoke to his mum after he misbehaved. 

Explanation

Past Perfect Simple - Negative

You can make either the past perfect simple clause or the past simple clause negative.

I had not marked the books

Past

Now

Future

I went to the hospital

I had not marked the books because I went to hospital. 

We are using 'because' as the connective. The reason for the 'past perfect simple' event not happening was the 'past simple' event. 

I hadn't planned the lesson

Past

Now

Future

didn't teach it

I hadn't planned the lesson so didn't teach it.

We are using 'so' as the connective. The consequence of the 'past perfect simple' clause is the 'past simple' clause. 

She had behaved well

Past

Now

Future

didn't have detention

She had behaved well and didn't have detention.

Answer

We used 'and' here. It is that one event follows the other, without any emphasis. We could have used 'so' as well.

Explanation

Past Perfect Simple - Questions (?)

Had + subject + past participle verb phrase

We often use 'past perfect simple' questions without the 'past simple' clause.

I had finished dinner.

​

Had you finished dinner?

Examples

Mrs. Brown: I left all the school books at home!

Mr. White: Had you marked them?

Mrs. Brown: Yes, it's so annoying. 

Mrs. Brown: Have you planned the lessons?

Mr. White: I had planned the lessons but I don't think they are very good.

Mrs. Brown: Had you looked at last year's?

Mr. White: Oh, no. That's a good idea.  

Questions are used to ask about something which may have happened in the past which relates to a current event.

Question about Italy

Past

Now

Future

I went to Italy

Had you been to Italy?

Past

Now

Future

I went to Italy

The question 'had you been to Italy' relates to the event 'I went to Italy'.

A: I went to Italy last week.

B: Had you been to Italy?

A: Yes, I'd been twice before. 

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