Past Perfect Tense in English

What is the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is a verb tense used to describe actions or events that were completed in the past before another action or event in the past.

Examples:

1. I had completed my homework.
2. He had bought a new sports car.
3. We had written an essay.
4. They had scored well on the exam.
5. She had never sung in front of such a large audience.

Past Perfect Tense

Past Perfect Tense Formula

Subject + Had + past participle verb (V₃) + object

Type of Sentences	Formula	Sentences
Positive	[Subject +had + V3 + object]	They had finished the project.
Negative	[Subject + had + not + V3 + object]	They hadn’t finished the project.
Question	[had + subject + V3 + object + ?]	Had they finished the project?
Negative Interrogative	[had + subject + not + V3 + object + ?]	Had they not finished the project?

Past Perfect Tense Examples

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I had seen the movie.	I hadn’t seen the movie.	Had I seen the movie?
She had cleaned the house.	She hadn’t cleaned the house.	Had she cleaned the house?
He had caught the ball.	He hadn’t caught the ball.	Had he caught the ball?
She had picked the flowers.	She had not picked the flowers.	Had she picked the flowers?
He had fixed the car.	He hadn’t fixed the car.	Had he fixed the car?

Affirmative Sentences in Past Perfect Tense

Subject + had + past participle of verb + object/complement

1. She had taught the lesson.
2. He had cleaned the pool.
3. They had completed the assignment.
4. He had cleaned the garage.
5. They had cleaned the windows.
6. She had answered the phone.
7. He had made the reservation.
8. They had listened to the music.
9. They had walked to the park.
10. She had already left the office before I arrived.
11. I had written the letter before I mailed it.
12. He had fixed the car before driving.
13. She had cooked dinner before we arrived.
14. They had already played before dinner.
15. She had taken a nap before dinner.
16. They had already left before I woke.
17. She had already packed her bags.
18. He had finished the book before bed.
19. She had already made the reservation.
20. He had already charged his phone.

Negative Sentences in Past Perfect Tense

Subject + hadn’t + past participle of verb + object/complement

1. She hadn’t taken the medicine.
2. She hadn’t packed the suitcase.
3. They hadn’t scheduled the appointment.
4. He hadn’t learned the lesson.
5. She hadn’t met the deadline.
6. They hadn’t filed the paperwork.
7. She hadn’t booked the flight.
8. They had not studied for the test.
9. He had not started the engine.
10. She hadn’t rented the car.
11. They had not set the table.
12. He hadn’t already fixed the leak.
13. They had not sent the invitation.
14. She had not paid the rent.
15. They hadn’t scheduled the meeting.
16. We had not cleaned the house before the guests.
17. He had not returned the book already.
18. They had not hired the new employee.
19. She had not packed her lunch before work.
20. They had not already seen the movie.

Interrogative Sentences in Past Perfect Tense

Had + subject + past participle of verb + object/complement + ?

1. Had he found the treasure?
2. Had she taught the lesson?
3. Had they listened to the lecture?
4. Had they traveled the world?
5. Had they watched the sunrise?
6. Had we visited that restaurant before?
7. Had you read that book before?
8. Had you already left before I arrived?
9. Had they checked in before the flight?
10. Had you finished your workout before lunch?
11. Had he already caught the bus?
12. Had she visited the beach before?
13. Had he tried that restaurant before?
14. Had she taken a nap before school?
15. Had you practiced piano before the lesson?
16. Had he washed his hands before lunch?
17. Had he finished his drawing before snack time?
18. Had we exercised before breakfast?
19. Had he fixed the car before driving it?
20. Had you tied your shoes before going outside?

Past Perfect Tense Exercise

1. We _______________ a movie after dinner. (watch)
2. She ____________ a cup of coffee before leaving. (drink)
3. We ____________ at the theater before the movie started. (arrive)
4. They ____________ the race before the sunset. (finish)
5. She _____________ the letter before the post office closed. (write)
6. We _____________ the concert before buying the album. (watch)
7. He ______________ the beer before the game started. (drink)
8. We ____________ the leak before the plumber arrived. (fix)
9. The children _____________ the game before dinner. (play)
10. He ___________ to the gym before the meeting. (go)
11. We ______________ some wine before dinner. (drink)

Answers:

1. We had watched a movie after dinner. (watch)
2. She had drunk a cup of coffee before leaving. (drink)
3. We had arrived at the theater before the movie started. (arrive)
4. They had finished the race before the sunset. (finish)
5. She had written the letter before the post office closed. (write)
6. We had watched the concert before buying the album. (watch)
7. He had drunk the beer before the game started. (drink)
8. We had fixed the leak before the plumber arrived. (fix)
9. The children had played the game before dinner. (play)
10. He had gone to the gym before the meeting. (go)
11. We had drunk some wine before dinner. (drink)