GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
Past Perfect

Definition

The past perfect is used to describe the order of two past actions. The past perfect is used for the "more past" action.

Example

Explanation

The past perfect --

• expresses the "more past" of two past actions.
• is used in reported speech.
• takes the form had + past participle.
• uses "when" and "already " as time expressions.
• "when" is used to express the time an action happened
• "I had been reading the newspaper when the phone rang."
• "already" is used to express an action completed before a second, more recent action
• "I had already agreed to go to Tom's house for dinner when Alice invited me to her house for dinner."

Related Sections

Participles
Past Simple
Present Perfect
Reported Speech