We use the past perfect to

talk about an event that happened

The Past Simple or the Past Perfect before another event in the

Past Simple = V2 past perfect past now future

Past Perfect
= had+Ved or V3 theythey
had had
already had had
lunch
already lunch JohnJohn
camecame
home
When John came, they had already had lunch.

1) Complete the gaps with verbs from the box in the past
perfect form.
go out / break into / not live / eat / send / see / steal
1
1. Tina was upset that someone _______________________
her house and____________________ her money.
2. When the fire brigade arrived, the fire
___________________________.
3. By the time Jane got home, her younger brother
___________________________ all the pizza.
4. Ann was still there, standing where Paul _____________
_____________________her earlier.
5. Sam ______________________ in a capital before he
moved to London.
6. Adam realized his mistake only hours after he
________________________________ the money.
3) Complete the sentences. Use the past simple or past
perfect form of the verbs in brackets.
1. When I arrived home from school yesterday, I
________________________ (find) that my bike wasn’t
there. Someone __________________________ (steal) it.
2. When Peter _____________________ (arrive) at the bus
station, the bus _____________________ (already / leave).
3. Mary ________________ (can’t open) the door because
she ____________________ (lose) her keys.
4. Fiona _____________________ (offer) Sony a job after
she __________________________ (finish) her degree.
5. Jill ____________________ (want) to meet my boyfriend
because she _____________________________
3
2
4 5
2) Look at the pictures and complete the
sentences. Use the past perfect negative form
of the verbs below.
tidy / fly / wash /
finish / ride
1. Mrs. Fray was angry. Ann ______________
the dishes.
2. It was obvious that Ted ________________
a bike before.
3. Jack wanted to go out, but he ___________
_________________ his homework.
4. Sarah’s mum was cross. Her daughter ____
_____________________ her bedroom.
5. Jeremy was nervous. He _______________
_____________ before.
4) What things you had done before 9. 30
yesterday evening. Write true sentences using
the past perfect, affirmative or negative.
1. Example: By 9.30 in the evening, I had
spoken to my friend Jack.
2._____________________________________

(never / see) him before. 3. _____________________________________

6. I _____________________ (know) about that accident
because I _________________________ (hear) about it on 4. _____________________________________
the radio.
5. _____________________________________
7. When Mrs. Snow ____________________ (appear), the
driver _______________________ (already / start) the car. 6. _____________________________________
8. Before Alan finally _______________ (find) a job, he
7. _____________________________________
_______________ (be) to about ten interviews.
KEY
Ex. 1)
1. had broken into, (had) stolen
2. had gone out
3. had eaten
4. had seen
5. hadn’t lived
6. had sent

Ex.2)
1. hadn’t washed
2. hadn’t ridden
3. hadn’t finished
4. hadn’t tidied
5. hadn’t flown

Ex.3)
1. found, had stolen
2. arrived, had already left
3. couldn’t open, had lost
4. offered, had finished
5. wanted, had never seen
6. knew, had heard
7. appeared, had already started
8. found, had been

Ex. 4)
Students’ own answers