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HOME / GRAMMAR EXERCISES / PAST PERFECT 1


Exercise: PAST PERFECT (PLUPERFECT) 1

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level: Beginner/Intermediate (A2/B1)







Complete each sentence with the correct form of the past perfect tense of the verb (in parentheses).
EXAMPLE: He had answered (to answer) all the questions before the bell rang.








GRAMMAR REVIEW: THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

WHAT IT IS
The past perfect (sometimes referred to as the pluperfect) is a verb tense used to show that one action happened before another action in the past.

HOW IT'S FORMED
had + past participle
Examples of past participles: done, gone, seen, eaten, written

WHEN TO USE IT
A. To show the earlier of two past events
She had left before he arrived.
B. To explain reasons in the past
I was tired because I had worked all day.
C. In reported speech
He said that he had finished the project.
D. With time expressions
Common markers: before, after, by the time, already, never, just
By the time we got to the theater, the movie had started.

SOME OTHER USEFUL EXERCISES YOU SHOULD TRY:
Present Perfect Continuous 1 (I)
Present Perfect Continuous 2 (B)
Future perfect 1 (B/I)
Future perfect 2 (I)
Simple Past/Present Perfect? 1 (I)
Simple Past/Present Perfect? 2 (I)

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