The Past Perfect Tense - English Grammar Lesson
This lesson explains the past perfect tense in simple English, with rules and examples for students and exam preparation.
Rule
Form with had plus the past participle. Use it for an action that happened before another past action.
Examples
- The train had left when I arrived.
- She had finished before he called.
- They had never met.
Common Mistake
| Incorrect | When I arrived, he already left |
|---|---|
| Correct | When I arrived, he had already left |
Practice Tip
Write three original sentences about this topic, then check each one against the rule above.
Related: Parts of Speech and English Tenses.