PAST PERFECT (= in italiano si traduce con il trapassato prossimo)

A: Sarah had arrived at the party.

N: Sarah had not arrived at the party.
I: Had Sarah arrived at the party?

Sarah had arrived at the party when everybody started to enjoy it.

When we got home last night, we found that somebody had broken into the flat.

Was Tommy at the party when you arrived?

- No, he had already gone home.
(= Tommy non c’era alla festa)

Was Tommy at the party when you arrived?

- Yes, but he went home soon.
(= Tommy c’era alla festa)

 Con il past perfect si usano riferimenti temporali come after, as soon as, until, just, already,
it was the first/second time.
 I saw the film after I had read the book.
 Con il past simple si usano before, when, by the time.
 We had finished dinner by the time you arrived.