PAST PERFECT

The main use for the past perfect is to indicate that an action occurred before another action in the
past. In Spanish it would be the equivalent to the pluscuamperfecto tense.

FORM
To build this tense we need the auxiliary verb to have in the past form and the past participle of the
main verb.
Example:

I had played for Racing de Ferrol before becoming a coach. Haba jugado en el Racing de Ferrol antes de ser entrenador.

STRUCTURE
AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES
SUBJECT + HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE
Examples:

I had seen that movie before. They had won the Championship years ago.
Haba visto esa pelcula antes. Ellos haban Ganado el Campeonato hace aos.

NEGATIVE SENTENCES
SUBJECT + HAD + NOT + PAST PARTICIPLE
Examples:

I had not seen that movie before. They hadnt won the Championship years ago.
No haba visto esa pelcula antes. Ellos no haban Ganado el Campeonato hace aos.

INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES
HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE?
Examples:

Had you seen that movie before? Had they won the Championship years ago?
Habas visto esa pelcula antes? Haban ganado el campeonato hace aos?

USES
- We use the past perfect to talk about an action that took place in the past before another
action, also in the past.

Examples:

I had seen the movie before I read the book. You had left already when I came.
Haba visto la pelcula antes de que leyera el libro. Ya te habas marchado cuando llegu.

- We use it to talk about actions that took place before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

I hadnt been to San Diego since the summer of 98. I had started eating before 1pm.
No haba estado en San Diego desde el verano del 98. Haba empezado a comer antes de la 1 del medioda.
- We use it to talk about an action that started in the past and was going on until a specific
time in the past.
Examples:

I had only owned a car before I bought a motorbike. She hadnt been happy until she changed jobs.
Solo haba tenido coche antes de que comprara una moto No haba sido feliz hasta que cambi de trabajo.