PAST PERFECT TENSE

We use Past Effect (simple) tense to show an action in the past related to other actions previously in the past.

Usage:

1. tells of an action that was completed before other actions in the past

2. Conditional Sentence Type III If + subject + Past perfect +

would have + verb III

If we had known the answer, we would have told you

3. reported speech

Ann: I have searched all the rooms.

George: Ann said she had searched all the rooms.

George: Ann said that he had searched all rooms

for a full discussion of reported speech in various tenses here

Past Perfect Tense Formula: Positive (+)

Subject + had + verb III + (past participle) + object

Negative (-)

Subject + had + not + verb III + object

Tanya (?)

Had + subject + verb III + object?

Example - Past Perfect Tense:

(+) They have been here before 1945

(-) They have not been here before 1945 (-) (?) Had they been here before 1945? (?)

(+) She went to Amsterdam when I called her (+)

(-) When I was called Amsterdam when I called her (-) (?) When she called her?

The time statement (Adverb of time) commonly used in past Perfect tense:

after, before, already, as soon as, just, yet, until, till, by the time that.

past Perfect tense is also used for expressions like: "I wish", "as if / though"

and "if only".

I wish I hadn't gone there.

I hope I never go there

Jono looked as if he had done something terrible.

Jono looked as if he had done something terrible