past perfect
use
- a past event that happened before another past event - example: i had already eaten when the guests arrived.
- an action or situation finished before a specific time period in the past - example: she had completed her assignment before the deadline.
form
affirmative
- i had walked to the crime scene.
- you / he / she / it / we / they had walked to the crime scene.
negative
- i / you / he / she / it / we / they hadn't (had not) walked to the crime scene.
interrogative
- had i / you / he / she / it / we / they walked to the crime scene?
short answers
- yes, l / you / he / she / it / we / they had.
- no, l / you / he / she / it / we / they hadn't.
vs
past simple
use
- for the more recent or later action / event in relation to another in the past perfect - example: after i had eaten, i went to the party.
- for a sequence of events in order - example: she finished her work, went home, and slept.
signal words
past perfect:
after, as soon as, until/till, just, already, ever, never, it was the first / second time...
- example: after he had finished his homework, he went out to play.
past simple:
before, when, by the time
- example: she left the office when the clock struck five.