THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

A. Sample sentences By 1997 the national debt had doubled and the British economy was once again at risk of repeating the pattern of inflation followed by recession. (The Times website)

THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

B. Form The Past Perfect is formed with the auxiliary had and the past participle. In speech and informal writing had is contracted to d. I had (Id) already decided what to do before he called me.

Negatives are formed with not and contractions are used (hadnt). Questions are formed by inverting the subject and had. At that time I still hadnt decided what to do. Had you already decided what to do before he called you?

THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

C. Uses We use the Past Perfect Tense: to talk about events that happened before other events As soon as we had installed the new line, productivity went up.
past perfect past present

installation of new line

productivity went up

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Before we installed the new line, productivity had been low.
past perfect past present

low productivity

installation

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Compare these two sentences: 1 When I arrived at the office, the meeting started. (I arrived at the office, and then the meeting started = subsequent events) 2 When I arrived at the office, the meeting had started. (The meeting started before I got to the office. I was late = previous events) In 1, it is also possible to use As soon as and After in place of When. In 2, it is also possible to use By the time in place of When.

THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

the

past perfect acts as the past form of the past simple and the present perfect tense. Compare these two sentences: 1 I am nervous because I have never given a presentation. (I am about to give a presentation.) 2 I was nervous because I had never given a presentation. (I gave a presentation yesterday.)
the

past perfect is used in reported speech structures (to report a present perfect or a past simple tense after a past tense verb of speaking) and in 3rd conditionals.

THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

often

a past simple form is used in place of a past perfect, where the sequence of events is clear. After interest rates rose, many companies went bankrupt. (The use of after makes it clear that the first event was the rise in interest rates: therefore the past perfect is not necessary) The scientists (had) tested the drug before they launched it onto the market.
the

past perfect is used with the following time expressions: after once before until when as soon as already

Past tenses review

On the afternoon of 6th February 1958, eight members of the Manchester United football team died (DIE) tragically in a plane crash in Munich. The team, including the young Bobby Charlton, and their manager, Matt were Busby, travelling (TRAVEL) home to England from Belgrade. Having won, the English football championship the were previous year, they (COMPETE) competing in the European Champions Cup had competition, and just (WIN) an won important match against Red Star Belgrade.

left The flight (LEAVE) Belgrade in fine weather, but were not conditions in Germany (NOT BE) so good; it had (SNOW) and the temperature (FALL) snowed* landed had fallen zero. The plane (LAND) at Munich to below airport to take on more fuel, but the pilot had had* (HAVE) some problems with the engines, and was there (BE) a delay while some checks were had made. After he (COMPLETE) the refuelling, completed radioed he (RADIO) the control tower to say he (BE) ready for take-off. was

The pilotmade (MAKE) two unsuccessful attempts to take off, but couldnt get enough was power from the engine. As he (TRY) to trying take off for the third time, the disaster happened (HAPPEN). The plane was increasing (had) (INCREASE) speed and (REACH) reached almost the end of the runway when it seemed (SEEM) suddenly to lose power. Out of control, itcrashed (CRASH) into some buildings, and thenburst (BURST) into flames.
lost A total of 23 people (LOSE) their lives, including eight of the players, management staff, journalists, and aircrew. Matt Busbys dream of Manchester United becoming European Champions died (DIE) that day in Munich, along with most of the team he had created (CREATE).