Past Perfect

Explanation

Form it with had plus the past participle. Use it to make the order of two past events clear, and after by the time, before, after and already. If the sequence is obvious from a conjunction, the past simple is often enough.

Examples

• The film had already started when we arrived.
• By the time he called, I had finished.
• They had left the keys on the table.

Common mistakes

• When we arrived, the film already started.

  When we arrived, the film had already started.

  Mark the earlier event with had.

• I had went shopping.

  I had gone shopping.

  Use the past participle after had.

• After she had eaten, she had slept.

  After she had eaten, she slept.

  Only the earlier event needs the past perfect.