The past perfect simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
Form of Past Perfect Simple
| Positive | Negative | Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| no differences | I had spoken. | I had not spoken. | Had I spoken? |
For irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
| Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed | Example |
|---|---|
| after final e, only add d | love – loved |
| final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled |
admit – admitted travel – travelled |
| final y after a consonant becomes i | hurry – hurried |
Use of Past Perfect
- action taking place before a certain time in the past
(putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration)Example: Before I came here, I had spoken to Jack.
- Conditional Sentences Type III (condition that was not given in the past)
Example: If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.
Signal Words
- already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day (with reference to the past, not the present)
- If-Satz Typ III (If I had talked, …)
Exercises on Past Perfect
- Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
- Positive Sentences in Past Perfect Simple
- Negative Sentences in Past Perfect Simple
- Questions in Past Perfect Simple
- Mixed Exercise in Past Perfect Simple
- Irregular Verbs
