Lesson 21 of 46

Past perfect

Show which of two past events happened first.

The rules

1.Form: had + past participle. It shows an action completed before another past action or time.
2.Use it when the order might be unclear: "When I arrived, the meeting had already started."
3.Do not use it if the order is obvious or events are in sequence: "I arrived and sat down."
4.It often appears with already, just, before, by the time, and after.

Incorrect: ~~When I arrived, the meeting already started.~~

Correct: When I arrived, the meeting had already started.

The meeting started first.

Incorrect: ~~She told me she finished the report.~~

Correct: She told me she had finished the report.

The finishing came before the telling.

Incorrect: ~~By the time we called, he left.~~

Correct: By the time we called, he had left.

He left before we called.

Watch out: Two past events, want to show which came first? Use the past perfect for the earlier one.

1. When we got to the station, the train ___.

2. I ___ my keys, so I could not open the door.

3. Which is correct?

Paste any text and see exactly what to fix, with the rule explained.