The Past Perfect Tense

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Forming Past Perfect Tense

Affirmative Form	Subject + had + verb3 + complement He had left the office
Negative Form	Subject + hadn't + verb3 + complement He hadn't left the office.
Question Form	Had + subject + verb + complement ? Had he left the office?
Negative Question	Hadn't + subject + verb3 + complement ? Hadn't he left the office?

Examples

His customers had waited outside until Mark came to the shop.

Customers were already outside when Mark arrived to the shop. Act of waiting occurred before Mark's arrival.


The train had just left when I got to the station.

The train left and a few minutes later I got to the station.


Hint:

Use the Past Perfect Tense after 'AFTER'
Use the Past Perfect Tense before 'BEFORE'

She had cooked dinner before I got home.
I got home after she had cooked dinner.

Exercise

Complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense form of the verbs in brackets.

1. We ---- (not see) Mrs. Janker before she went to London.

2. The plane ---- (depart) when I got to the airport.

3. Adams ---- (already finish) typing when I arrived at the office.

4. I suddenly realized that I ---- (meet) her at school.

5. Oliver ---- (not have) a cup of coffee before he came to our table.

6. Had you ---- (just turn out) the lights when she woke up?

7. Chuck ---- (not put) my name into the list yet when I last saw him.

8. I ---- (buy) a new camera before I went to England.

9. I started the machine after I ---- (have) my lunch.

10. My mom didn't turn off the light until I ---- (finish) my homework.

Correctness =
Correct answers:

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