The past perfect refers to an event that was completed at some point in the past before something else happened.
Structure of Positive Past Perfect Simple Tense – Regular Verbs
The formula for the past perfect tense is had + [past participle].
- I had played.
- You had played.
- He had played.
- She had played.
- It had played.
- We had played.
- You had played.
- They had played.
Structure of Positive Past Perfect Simple Tense – Irregular Verbs
- I had gone home.
- You had gone home.
- He had gone home.
- She had gone home.
- It had gone home.
- We had gone home.
- You had gone home.
- They had gone home.
Structure of Negative Past Perfect Simple Tense – Regular Verbs
- I had not played.
- You had not played.
- He had not played.
- She had not played.
- It had not played.
- We had not played.
- You had not played.
- They had not played.
Structure of Negative Past Perfect Simple Tense – Irregular Verbs
- had not gone home.
- You had not gone home.
- He had not gone home.
- She had not gone home.
- It had not gone home.
- We had not gone home.
- You had not gone home.
- They had not gone home.
Questions in the Past Perfect – Regular verbs
- Had I played with a ball?
- Had you played with a ball?
- Had he played with a ball?
- Had she played with a ball?
- Had it played with a ball?
- Had we played with a ball?
- Had you played with a ball?
- Had they played with a ball?
Questions in the Past Perfect – Irregular verbs
- Had I gone home?
- Had you gone home?
- Had he gone home?
- Had she gone home?
- Had it gone home?
- Had we gone home?
- Had you gone home?
- Had they gone home?
Examples of Past Perfect Tense
- I had written articles on different topics before she came.
- He had gone to the cinema before she came home.
- She had traveled around the world before she came to France.
See Also
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Present Perfect Tense