Past perfect tense expresses actions that occurred before a time in the past. Here you will learn when to use the Past Perfect tense.
Signal words will serve as an indication of them.
Formation of the Past Perfect Tense
The Past Perfect is formed from had and the Past Participle , ie the infinitive (basic form of a verb) and the ending – ed . In the case of irregular verbs, instead of the infinitive and the ending – ed, the corresponding verb form of the Past Participle is used.
Past Perfect Tense: Sub+had + Infinitive + ed or had + 3rd form of Verb
Examples of the formation of the Past Perfect Tense
Affirmative sentences:
- I Had visited UK.
- We had visited UK.
- She had Visited UK.
- They had Visited UK.
Negative sentences:
- I Had not visited UK.
- We had not visited UK.
- She had not Visited UK.
- They had not Visited UK.
Questions in the Past Perfect:
- Had they visited UK?
- Had he visited UK?
- Had they visited Uk?
Usiage of the Past Perfect tense
The Past Perfect describes an action before a time in the past .
- It may be in conjunction with a subset in Simple Past:
Salma had bought bread before the store closed. - In addition, the Past Perfect can stand alone:
John had bought bread.
Signal words:
Certain signal words may be an indication to you which is the appropriate tense. In Past Perfect they are often:
- never
- once
- already
- just
Past Perfct Tense Exercise:
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