B1 · Lesson 4 · 20 min
Past perfect and earlier events
In this lesson
- I can use the past perfect to show which past event happened first.
- I can make past-perfect questions and negatives.
Grammar in context
On Friday, Priya arrived at the cinema at 7:10. The film had already started, so she bought a ticket for the next showing. While she waited, she called her brother, who had forgotten to tell her that the time had changed.
Which actions happened before Priya arrived at the cinema?
Showing an earlier past event
Use the past perfect for an event that happened before another past event. Make it with had + past participle. The earlier event often explains a later past situation. You do not need the past perfect when the order is already very clear, but it is useful when you want to highlight it.
- The shop had closed before Omar reached the high street.
- When I opened the fridge, someone had eaten the last yoghurt.
Negatives and questions
For a negative, use had not (hadn't) + past participle. For a question, put had before the subject. Use the past perfect when you are asking or saying whether something happened before a particular time or event in the past.
- We hadn't booked a table, so we waited outside.
- Had Mei spoken to the manager before she sent the email?
Past perfect and past simple together
The earlier action is often in the past perfect, and the later action is in the past simple. Words such as before, after, by the time and when can help show the relationship. Normally, use the past perfect for the earlier action and the past simple for the later action.
- After Lucas had finished work, he met his friends.
- By the time the bus arrived, I had found my travel card.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
When I arrived, the meeting had already start.
Use
When I arrived, the meeting had already started.
The past perfect needs had plus a past participle: started.
Avoid
Had you went home before the storm began?
Use
Had you gone home before the storm began?
After had, use a past participle. The past participle of go is gone.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.