Past Perfect Simple Tense

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