Past Perfect Tense: How to Use It, With

Examples

The past perfect, also called the pluperfect, is a verb tense used to
talk about something that happened before something else that is also
in the past. Imagine waking up one morning and stepping outside to
grab the newspaper. On your way back in, you notice a mysterious
message scrawled across your front door: “Tootles was here.” When
you’re telling this story to your friends later, how will you describe this
moment? You might say something like:

I turned back to the house and saw that someone named Tootles had
defaced my front door!

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In addition to feeling indignant on your behalf, your friends will also be

able to understand that Tootles graffitied the door at some point in the
past before the moment this morning when you saw their handiwork,
because you used the past perfect tense to describe the misdeed.

The past perfect formula

The formula for the past perfect tense is had + [past participle]. It
doesn’t matter if the subject is singular or plural; the formula doesn’t
change.

When to use the past perfect

So what’s the difference between the past perfect and the simple past?
When you’re talking about some point in the past and want to
reference an event that happened even earlier, using the past perfect
allows you to convey the sequence of the events. It’s also clearer and
more specific. Consider the difference between these two sentences:
We were relieved that Tootles used washable paint.

We were relieved that Tootles had used washable paint.

It’s a subtle difference, but the first sentence doesn’t tie Tootles’s act of
using washable paint to any particular moment in time; listeners might
interpret it as “We were relieved that Tootles was in the habit of using
washable paint.” In the second sentence, the past perfect makes it
clear that you’re talking about a specific instance of using washable
paint.

Another time to use the past perfect is when you are expressing a
condition and a result:

If I had woken up earlier this morning, I would have caught Tootles red-
handed.

The past perfect is used in the part of the sentence that explains
the condition (the if-clause).

Most often when writing, the reason to use a verb in the past perfect
tense is to show that the action it describes happened before other
actions, in the same sentence or preceding ones, that are described by
verbs in the simple past tense. Writing an entire paragraph with every
verb in the past perfect tense is generally unnecessary, because once
you have established the earlier time, you can continue to describe
that earlier time in the simple past and readers will understand when
the action is happening.

When I was out there this morning cleaning off the door, I remembered that just
last week I had noticed what a muddy white color it is, and I had
thought about other colors for it. I even went inside then and looked at paint
colors online.
In the first sentence, you clearly establish the time before this morning
that you were recalling this morning with the use of the past perfect
in had noticed and had thought. Then, in the second sentence, you
can switch back to the simple past and be understood as still referring
to that earlier time last week.

When not to use the past perfect

Don’t use the past perfect when you’re not trying to convey some
sequence of past events. If your friends asked what else you did this
morning besides discovering the graffiti, they would be confused if you
said:

I had cleaned it off the door.

They’d likely be waiting for you to go on to describe what happened

next because using the past perfect implies that your action of cleaning
the door occurred before something else happened. The “something
else” doesn’t always have to be explicitly mentioned, but context needs
to make it clear. In this case there’s no context, so the past perfect
doesn’t make sense.

How to make the past perfect negative

Making the past perfect negative is simple! The formula is had + not +
[past participle].

We looked for witnesses, but the neighbors had not seen Tootles in the act.

If Tootles had not included their own name in the message, we would have no
idea who was behind it.
How to ask a question in the past perfect

The formula for asking a question in the past perfect tense is had +
[subject] + [past participle].

Had Tootles caused trouble in other neighborhoods before they struck ours?

Common regular verbs in the past perfect tense

Infinitive Past Perfect Negative

to ask had asked had not asked

to work had worked had not worked

to call had called had not called

to use had used had not used

Common irregular verbs in the past perfect tense

Infinitive Past Perfect Negative

to be had been had not been

to have had had had not been

to do had done had not done

to say had said had not said

to get had gotten* had not gotten*

to make had made had not made

to go had gone had not gone

to take had taken had not taken

to see had seen had not seen

to come had come had not come

Past Perfect Continuous Tense: How to Use It,
With Examples

The past perfect continuous (also known as the past perfect

progressive) is a verb tense that shows that an action that started in
the past continued up until another time in the past.

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your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. It
even proofreads your text, so your work is polished wherever you write.

Your writing, at its best

Grammarly helps you communicate confidently
 WRITE WITH GRAMMARLY

How to form the past perfect continuous

The formula for the past perfect continuous tense is had been +
[present participle (root form of verb + -ing)].

Unlike the present perfect continuous, which indicates an action that

began in the past and has continued up to the present, the past perfect
continuous indicates something that began in the past, continued in the
past, and also ended at a defined point in the past.

He had been drinking milk out the carton when Mom walked into the kitchen.

I had been working at the company for five years when I got the promotion.

When, for, since, and before are words that you may see used
alongside the past perfect continuous tense.

Martha had been walking three miles a day before she broke her leg.

The program that was terminated had been running smoothly since 1945.

Anh Ngoc had been playing the piano for thirty-five years when she was finally
asked to do a solo with the local orchestra.

He had been throwing rocks at her window for five minutes before
she finally came out on the balcony and said, “Hey

Types of Adverbs: Sequence Adverbs

There are five types of adverbs in the English language. Sequence adverbs are used to
describe the order in which two or more actions happen, and help us understand the time
relationship between sentences and ideas. Sequence adverbs (or sequence markers)
include first, next, then, and finally.
If you want to make an omelet, you need to break the eggs first. Next, you should heat
butter on a pan. Then, you can add the eggs. Finally, you can enjoy your omelet with
your favorite vegetables or a piece of bread.
Here, sequence adverbs are used to describe the order of actions you need to take to
make an omelet.

Rule 1: We use a comma after sequence adverbs when they introduce the sentence that
describes the action.

Next, I will show you how to toast bread.

Next is a sequence adverb used to start the sentence, so we use a comma after it.

Rule 2: We use first to express that action happens before any others and can place it at
the beginning and the end of a sentence.

First, I need to have a cup of coffee before I start my work.

First is a sequence adverb used to express that coffee comes before work.
I have a lot of work to finish today, but I need a cup of coffee first.
Once again, first signifies that coffee comes before work.

Rule 3: We use next to express that action happens immediately after another action,
or as soon as possible. It can also come both at the beginning and the end of a
sentence.

I’m eating breakfast now. I will clean the kitchen next.

Next is a sequence adverb used to express that an action of cleaning the kitchen
comes right after breakfast.
I went to Toscana this summer. Next, I want to visit Napoli as soon as I can.
Next is a sequence adverb used to express that visiting Napoli will come as soon as
possible after visiting Toscana.

Connectors in English: An easy guide to linking

words [VIDEO]

Think of connectors as the handy tools that help stitch your sentences together,
making your writing flow smoothly like a well-oiled machine adding flavor and
cohesion to your words, phrases and sentences.

So if you’re ready to harness the potency of them, join us in the mini-video lesson
with Berlitz English teacher, Luiz Chantre, as we unravel how to use linking words
in English in simple, easy-to-understand terms.

Throughout this article, we’ll be referring to them as connectors, linking words and
transition words. Watch the video lesson below, follow along in the blog article
lesson… or both!
Connectors in English: Video lesson summary
Connectors are essential words that link phrases, clauses, or ideas to ensure clear,
coherent communication. Mastering connectors is crucial for expanding vocabulary,
understanding complex texts, and achieving success in proficiency tests like
TOEFL and IELTS.

Importance of linking words or connectors:

 Enhance cohesion and coherence in text
 Aid in understanding complex ideas
 Facilitate effective communication
Types of connector words in English:
 Adding information: and, also, moreover
 Showing contrast: but, however, on the other hand
 Expressing cause and effect: because, therefore, so
 Making comparisons: as, like, similarly
Using transition words in English:
 Understand the function of each connector
 Place connectors correctly in sentences
 Practice reading and writing with connectors

Importance of transition words in English

Transition words or connectors play a vital role in the English language, aiding in
the seamless flow of ideas and information. Understanding the significance of
connectors is essential for effective communication and comprehension, especially
in academic and professional settings.

Here are some key reasons why they’re important in English:

 Enhance clarity: Connectors help in clearly expressing relationships between

ideas, ensuring that the message is easily understood.
 Improve coherence: By linking phrases and sentences, connectors create a
cohesive and logical structure in writing and speech.
 Highlight relationships: Connectors showcase the connections between
different parts of a text, emphasizing contrasts, cause and effect,
comparisons, and more.
 Facilitate understanding: Using connectors appropriately aids in grasping
complex concepts and following the flow of information in a conversation or
written piece.
 Elevate language proficiency: Mastering connectors demonstrates a higher
level of language proficiency and sophistication in communication.
Overall, connectors serve as the glue that holds language together, enabling
individuals to express themselves clearly and effectively in English.
Types of connectors
Connectors play a crucial role in English by linking ideas, phrases, or clauses to
ensure clear and effective communication. There are several types of connectors
that serve different functions in a sentence:

1. Coordinating connectors:
These connectors link words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. They include:

 And: Adds information or lists items

 But: Shows a contrast or contradiction
 Or: Presents alternatives
 So: Indicates a consequence or reason
 Yet: Introduces a contrasting idea
2. Subordinating connectors:
These connectors link dependent and independent clauses, showing the relationship
between them. Examples include:

 Because: Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship

 Although: Introduces a contrast or concession
 While: Shows simultaneous actions or events
 Since: Specifies a reason or time
 Unless: Implies a condition
3. Correlative connectors:
These connectors work in pairs to connect similar grammatical elements. Common
correlative connectors include:

 Both...and: Indicates a dual situation

 Either...or: Presents a choice between two options
 Not only...but also: Emphasizes additional information
 Whether...or: Introduces alternatives
 As...as: Makes comparisons between two elements
4. Adversative connectors:
These connectors express contrast, opposition, or conflict in a sentence. Some
examples of adversative connectors are:

 However: Introduces a contrasting idea

 Nevertheless: Indicates a concession or opposition
 On the other hand: Presents an alternative perspective
 Instead: Offers a different option or choice
 Conversely: Shows a reverse relationship
By understanding the different types of connectors and their functions, individuals
can enhance their writing and speaking skills in English.
 ExercisesThe Third

The Third Conditional

Once you’ve studied and feel confident about using the zero, first and second
conditionals, you’re ready to study the third and last one. Being able to use
the third conditional will really make you sound like a native speaker. So read
on to find out when to use it and how.
When do we use the third conditional?
The third conditional is used to express the past consequence of an
unrealistic action or situation in the past.

For example,

 If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.

The first action (studying hard) did not happen. But in the case that he
happened, the consequence was passing the exam. The third conditional is
very similar to the second conditional. But while the second conditional
refers to something unrealistic now or in the future, the third conditional
refers to something unrealistic in the past.

We often use the third conditional to express regrets – describing things

we are sorry happened or didn’t happen. For example,

 If my alarm had gone off, I wouldn’t have been late to work.

 If there hadn’t been so much traffic we wouldn’t have missed
our flight.

How do we create the third conditional?

To make a sentence in the third conditional, we use,

If + past perfect, would/wouldn’t have + past participle.

 If you had told me about the meeting, I would have come.
 If you had told me about the meeting, I wouldn’t have
missed it.

As with all conditionals, you can also invert this structure:

Would have + past participle if + past perfect.
 I’d have come to the meeting if you’d told me about it.
 I wouldn’t have missed the meeting if you’d told me about it.

The word would is often contracted to ‘d by native speakers. It’s also

acceptable to use this in informal writing. And in speech it’s common to
contract have to ‘ve in the third conditional. For example,
 I’d’ve come to the meeting if you’d told me.

However, we can’t write this, even in an informal context. It’s useful to be

aware of it though, so you can identify it when native speakers say it.

As an alternative to would, we can complete the second part of a third

conditional sentence with could. For example,
 If I’d stayed at university, I could have got a masters degree.

Here are some other examples of the third conditional:

 He’d have got the job if he hadn’t been so nervous in the

interview.
 What would you have done if you’d been me?
 If it hadn’t been snowing heavily, we’d have carried on
skiing.
 The company would have survived if there hadn’t been a
recession.
 Would you have accepted the offer if we’d reduced the price?
 If you hadn’t invited me out, I’d have stayed in all day.
 She wouldn’t have given you a fine if you’d apologized.
 If they hadn’t won that match, the club would have fired the
manager.
 They could have stayed here if they hadn’t found any
accommodation.

Mixing the second and the third conditionals

It’s possible to combine the second and the third conditionals. There are
two ways of doing that. We can either,
Describe the present consequence of a past situation
If + past simple, would have + past participle
 If I were adventurous, I’d have gone backpacking after
university.
Describe the past consequence of a present situation
If + past perfect, would + verb
 If we hadn’t missed the flight, we’d be in our hotel by now.

Here are some more examples,

 If I’d studied for a year in the U.S, my English would be fluent

now.
 The roads wouldn’t be so icy if it hadn’t rained so much last
night.
 If she weren’t so shy, she’d have gone to the party on her
own.
 The fans would be miserable now if their team had been
relegated.

The third conditional has quite a tricky structure that takes some time and
practice to become familiar with. So why not start now by doing a fun quiz.

The Third Conditional

Practice using the third conditional in this fun quiz.
START QUIZ

MORE EXERCISES

The First Conditional

The first conditional is one of four types of hypothetical sentence in English. In which
situations can we use it and why? Find out here.

View exercise

The Zero Conditional

What is the zero conditional and when is it used? Read on to find out!

View exercise

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