Past perfect

When we talk about something that happened in the past we sometimes want to
refer back to something that happened before that time. We can use the past
perfect tense (had + past participle) to do this.

Look at these two sentences.

John left the house at 7:30 yesterday morning.

Mary rang Johns doorbell at 8:15 yesterday.
Both actions happened in the past so we use the past simple tense. But look at how
we can combine the sentences.

Mary rang Johns doorbell at 8:15 yesterday but John had already left the
house.
We use the past perfect (had left) because the action happened before another
action in the past (Mary rang the doorbell.)
Look at some more examples of the past perfect.

When Mrs Brown opened the washing machine she realised she had washed
the cat.
I got a letter from Jim last week. Wed been at school together but wed lost
touch with each other.
The past perfect is used because they were at school before he received the letter.
It refers to an earlier past.
Look at these 2 sentences.

James had cooked breakfast when we got up.

James cooked breakfast when we got up.
In the first sentence, the past perfect tells us that James cooked breakfast before we
got up. In the second sentence, first we got up and then James cooked breakfast.
Past perfect continuous
The past perfect can also be used in the continuous.

I realised I had been working too hard so I decided to have a holiday.

By the time Jane arrived we had been waiting for 3 hours.
NOTE
The most common mistake with the past perfect is to overuse it or to use it simply
because we are talking about a time in the distant past.

The Romans had spoken Latin

Remember that we only use the past perfect when we want to refer to a past that
is earlier than another time in the narrative.

- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/pastperfect#sthash.Yi4s4IYz.dpuf

The past perfect is used in the same way as the present perfect, but it refers to a
time in the past, not the present.
We use the past perfect tense:

for something that started in the past and continued up to a given time in the
past:
When George died he and Anne had been married for nearly fifty years.
She didnt want to move. She had lived in Liverpool all her life.

- See more at: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/pasttense/past-perfect#sthash.iMKDRRkq.dpuf

Change the verb into the correct form:
1. She

(never be) to the North Pole until 2002.

2. They

(never fight) before they

3. He

4. When we

5. When I

(never break) anything before he

(arrive), we

(call), she

7. He

(never kiss) a girl, so he

10. It

12. They

13. The boss

(want) more details.

(be) embarrassed.

(save) a lot of money before he

(go) some place, because they

(be) too late, because the car

11. You said (say) you

(tell) us they

(tell) us he

(leave).

(go) to sleep.

t (never meet) him, so she

9. They

(start) to crawl.

(discover) that the bus

6. Ashley

8. Patrick

(move) together.

(buy) the house.

(be) not there when I

(sell) to someone else.

(be) to Turkey 5 times.

(paint) the entire apartment.

(hire) some new staff.

(arrive).

14. Jason and Amy

15. I had

(eat) before they

(have) all the papers, but I

(come) to see you.

(lose) them.

Change the verb into the correct form:

1. I

2. She

3. We

4. Brian

5. They

6. You

(study) Japanese before.

(bake) a lot before she

(have) a lot of trouble because we

(study) English before they

8. Amy

(study) a lot before she

(read) the book.

(help) her.

(take) the test.

(get) into the restaurant only because we

(reserve) our places.

(be) to India before 1986.

11. They

(have) a lot of trouble before they finally

12. Chris

(own) that car for 5 years before he

13. Sharon

(be) there many times.

(move) to Canada.

(enjoy) the movie because you

(like) him because he

10. I

(lose) our passports.

(know) many people at the club because he

7. She really

9. We

(open) her shop.

(be) very sick until she

(succeed).

(sell) it.

(stop) eating junk food.

14. I

(be) in Greece for 7 months before I

15. You

(cook) a lot, because you

(move) to Spain.

(be) so hungry.

We use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point in the past. It looks
back from a point in the past to further in the past.

I hadn't known the bad news when I spoke to him.

I checked with the supplier and they still hadn't received the contract.

She had already told him before I got a chance to give him my version.

The company has started the year well but was badly hit by the postal strike.
The past perfect simple is often used when we report what people had said/thought/believed.

He told me they had already paid the bill.

He said he believed that John had moved to Italy.

I thought we had already decided on a name for this product.

can get a lift home with him.
Past Tense vs. Past Perfect
PAST TENSE

Past tense focuses on an event or a series of events. No particular importance is placed on timing. The
events are reported in the sequence (order) that they happened.

FIRST EVENT

SECOND EVENT

First, Jill stopped at an ATM.

Then she took her friends out to lunch.

First, Jill took her friends to lunch.

Then she stopped at an ATM.

First, they sat down.

Then the waiter tripped and dropped his tray on their

table.

First, they stood up to leave.

Then the waiter tripped and dropped his tray on their

table.

PAST PERFECT TENSE

Past perfect contrasts the timing of two events and places emphasis on the timing of the first event which has
an effect on the second event. "good or bad timing"

EARLIER EVENT

LATER EVENT

Jill had stopped at an ATM

before she took her friends out to lunch. (good timing)

Jill had taken her friends to lunch

before she stopped at an ATM. (bad timing)

They had just sat down

when the waiter tripped and dropped his tray on their

table. (bad timing)

They had just stood up to leave

when the waiter tripped and dropped his tray on their

table. (good timing.)

The difference in time often indicates "good timing" a fortunate sequence or "bad timing" an unfortunate sequence.

A Trekking Journal
November 12, 1997
Today (be)

and my legs (shake)

the second day of my trek around Mount Annapurna. I am exhausted

; I just hope I am able to complete the trek. My feet (kill,

really)

me and my toes (bleed)

, but I (want, still)

to

continue.
Nepal is a fascinating country, but I have a great deal to learn. Everything (be)

so different, and I (try)

to adapt to the new way of life here. I (learn)

a little bit of the language to make communication easier; unfortunately, I (learn,

not)

foreign languages quickly. Although I (understand, not)

much yet, I believe that I (improve, gradually)

I (travel, currently)

with Liam, a student from Leeds University in

England. He (be)

a nice guy, but impatient. He (walk, always)

ahead of me and (complain)

that I am too slow. I (do)

my best to

keep up with him, but he is younger and stronger than I am. Maybe, I am just feeling sorry
for myself because I am getting old.
Right now, Liam (sit)

with the owner of the inn. They (discuss)

differences between life in England and life in Nepal. I (know, not)

of the owner, but everybody (call, just)

English very well and he (try)

Tam (say)

the

the real name

him Tam. Tam (speak)

to teach Liam some words in Nepali. Every time

a new word, Liam (try)

to repeat it. Unfortunately, Liam

(seem, also)

to have difficulty learning foreign languages. I just hope we don't

get lost and have to ask for directions.

1. Every Monday, Sally (drive)

2. Usually, I (work)

her kids to football practice.

as a secretary at ABT, but this summer I (study)

French at a language school in Paris. That is why I am in Paris.

3. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John (sleep)

4. Don't forget to take your umbrella. It (rain)

5. I hate living in Seattle because it (rain, always)

6. I'm sorry I can't hear what you (say)

because everybody (talk)

so

loudly.
7. Justin (write, currently)

a book about his adventures in Tibet. I hope he

can find a good publisher when he is finished.

8. Jim: Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?
Denise: Oh, I'm sorry, I can't. I (go)

9. The business cards (be, normally )

prices (be)

to a movie tonight with some friends.

printed by a company in New York. Their

inexpensive, yet the quality of their work is quite good.

10. This delicious chocolate (be)

made by a small chocolatier in Zurich,

Switzerland.

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time
before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect
with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I
was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN
use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once,
many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
There have been many earthquakes in California.
People have traveled to the Moon.
People have not traveled to Mars.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have
the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a
certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
I have been to France.
THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN FRANCE. MAYBE YOU
HAVE BEEN THERE ONCE, OR SEVERAL TIMES.
I have been to France three times.
YOU CAN ADD THE NUMBER OF TIMES AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE.
I have never been to France.
THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO FRANCE.
I think I have seen that movie before.
He has never traveled by train.
Joan has studied two foreign languages.
A: Have you ever met him?

B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a
period of time.
Examples:
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in arts education.
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the

Asian studies program was established.

My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and
humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not
happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action
to happen.
Examples:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have
occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not
complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.

 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she

is sick.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some
point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not
important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do
this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month,
so far, up to now, etc.

Examples:
Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three

different companies so far.

My car has broken down three times this week.
NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the
year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requiresSimple Past. "In
the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific
time, so it requires Present Perfect.
Examples:
I went to Mexico last year.
I WENT TO MEXICO IN THE CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE THIS ONE.
I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I HAVE BEEN TO MEXICO AT LEAST ONCE AT SOME POINT BETWEEN 365 DAYS AGO AND NOW.

1. When I (arrive)

(prepare)

home last night, I discovered that Jane

a beautiful candlelight dinner.

2. Since I began acting, I (perform)

in two plays, a television commercial and a

TV drama. However, I (speak, never even)

publicly before I came to

Hollywood in 1985.
3. By the time I got to the office, the meeting (begin, already)

boss (be)

4. When I (turn)

furious with me and I (be)

5. Last week, I (run)

a song that was

the song in years, and it

back some great memories.

into an ex-girlfriend of mine. We (see, not)

each other in years, and both of us (change)

(enjoy)

fired.

the radio on yesterday, I (hear)

popular when I was in high school. I (hear, not)

(bring)

without me. My

a great deal. I

talking to her so much that I (ask)

her out on a date. We

are getting together tonight for dinner.

6. When Jack (enter)

he (lose)

the room, I (recognize, not)

so much weight and (grow)

him because

a beard. He looked totally

different!
7. The Maya established a very advanced civilization in the jungles of the Yucatan; however,

their culture (disappear, virtually)

(arrive)

8. I (visit)

by the time Europeans first

in the New World.

so many beautiful places since I (come)

Before moving here, I (hear, never)

to Utah.

of Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, or

Canyonlands.
Lars: Excuse me, which movie are you waiting for?
Tony: We (wait)

(wait)

for the new Stars Wars movie. In fact, we

here for more than five hours.

Lars: Five hours? When did you arrive?

Tony: We (get)

(stand, already)

here at 6:00 o'clock this morning. More than forty people

here waiting for tickets when we arrived.

Lars: I can't believe that! Are you serious?

Tony: Yeah, people (take)

Star Wars movies seriously. In fact, this particular

showing has been sold out for over a week. We (wait, just)

in line to get a

good seat in the theater.

Lars: When did you buy your tickets?
Tony: I (buy)

them last week by phone. I (know)

tickets would be

hard to get because I (see)

a news interview with a group of people standing in

line to get tickets. They (wait)

in line for almost a month to buy tickets for the

first showing.
Lars: I don't believe that!
Tony: It's true. They (camp)

out in front of Mann's Chinese Theater in Los

Angeles for about a month because they (want)

to be the first people to see

the movie.

1. I

(have) a problem with my computer yesterday.

2. We

(already see) that movie, but I will go with you again if you

want me to.
3. We

4. I

5. He

(be) in Johns room when the storm

(not begin) my homework yet.

(not sleep) for three nights, even though he

bed early yesterday evening.

6. My uncle

(begin).

(never forget) my birthday.

(go) to

7. They

(travel) around the world last summer.

8. They

(decide) this at a meeting a few days ago.

9.

(You ever be) to Paris?

10. I know Manchester well. I

(live) there for three years when I was a

student.

11. Jim does not have much money so he

12. We

(have) a good time at the party last weekend.

13. Look at that. Someone

14. Emmi

15. The plane

16. I

17. When

(not buy) a car yet.

(break) my bike.

(just finish) packing her bags.

(land) ten minutes ago.

(do) all the housework. Everything is clean now.

(Columbus discover) the New World?

18. We

(not visit) him since last weekend.

19. She feels great. She

20. The last time I

21. Tim

(lose) five pounds since Christmas.

(play) tennis was four years ago.

(WRITE) six pages of his book this morning. Here they are.

Yesterday he only

(WRITE) two pages.

22. Lets play tennis! - No, thanks. I

(ALREADY PLAY) three

matches this week and I need a rest.

23. Paul
he

(MAKE) films since he was in High School. This year

(MAKE) two very good films about southern Germany. One of

them is on TV tonight.
24. Im sorry, Dad is not here. He

25.

(JUST LEAVE) for work.

(YOU FIND) your passport yet, Joe? No! I

for it for two hours but I cant find it anywhere.

26. Nancy and Bob

(GET) married five years ago.

(LOOK)

27. Chuck,

(YOU BE ABLE) to find the answer to the exercises?

No, not yet, but I

28.

(THINK) about it for days.

(ANYBODY HEAR) from Carl? - I have. He is in London at the

moment.
29. Dont forget to tidy up your room Fred. - I

(ALREADY DO) it

Dad.
30. Would you like something to drink? - No, thanks, I

a cup of tea.

(JUST HAVE)