Past  Perfect

FORM

[had + past participle]

Examples:

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

·       You had studied English before you come to University Libre.

·       Had you studied English before you come to University Libre?

·       You had not studied English before you come to University Libre.

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

·       I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Cartagena.

·       I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.

·       Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.

·       Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?

·       She only understood the movie because she had read the book.

·       Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.

·       We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.

·       A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

·       You had previously studied English before you come to University.

·       Had you previously studied English before you come to University?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

·       George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's license. Active

·       Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic's license. Passive