The Past Perfect Tense | Definition and Examples

grammar

The past perfect tense

Definition:

This tense is formed with HAD +THE PAST PARTICIPLE. It is therefore the same for all persons.

-Yesterday I saw a farm that I had (already) seen 24 years before _____THE Past Perfect Simple indicates a PAST

ACTION that took place before ANOTHER PAST ACTION.

1_ THE PAST PERFECT AS THE PAST EQUIVALENT OF THE PRESENT PERFECT:

PRESENT: Ann HAS (just) LEFT. If you hurry, you will catch her.

PAST: 

_When I arrived, Ann HAD (just) LEFT.

Unlike the Present Perfect, the Past Perfect in not restricted to actions whose time is not given mentioned.

e.g.: He HAD LEFT his case on the (4.10 TRAIN).

The Past Perfect Tense is reacted to a moment in the Past in the same way that the Present Perfect is related to the Present moment, i.e. it describes an action completed before some special Past moment we have in mind.

+The Present Perfect can be used with SINCE /FOR / ALWAYS.etc.) for an action which started in the Past & is still continuing or has only just finished.

+The Past Perfect can be used SIMILARITY for AN ACTION WHICH BEGAN BEFORE THE TIME OF SPEAKING IN THE PAST AND.

1) Was still continuing at that time.

2) Stopped at that time just before it. *

3) For an action which stopped some time before the time of speaking.

1- Ann HAD LIVED in a cottage for sixty years/ ever since she was born and has no wish to move to a tower block.

A------------------------------------------T. S----------------------------------B

Unfinished action was still continuing at that time of speaking.

2- Peter, who HAD WAITED for an hour/ since ten O'clock, was very angry with sister when she eventually turned up.

A--------------------------------------------------------------------------------B/T. S

Action stopped at that moment or just before it.

3)- He HAD SERVED in the army for ten years, he HAD RETIRED and MARRIED, his children were (now) at school.

A---------------------------------------------------------------------------------B-----------------------------------T.S

Action stopped some time before the time of speaking.