A2 English Exercise: Matching Past Perfect and Past Simple Tenses
Elementary - Pre-Intermediate
Match and make sentences using the Past Perfect and Past Simple tenses. Which event happened first?
By the time the police caught the thief,
Laurence had lived in New York
After they had sold their car,
We didn't leave
It was the first time
As soon as I had shouted at him,
They had just washed the car
The lawyer hadn't received the letter
By the time she picked up the phone,
I arrived at your house
he had sold all the jewellery
I felt sorry
they bought a motorbike
until we had locked all the doors
she had seen a dolphin
when we spoke to him
it had stopped ringing
before he moved to London
when it started to rain
but you had already left
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the past perfect in English grammar?
The past perfect is a verb tense used to describe an action that occurred before another past action or event. It is formed using the past participle and the auxiliary verb `had`.
How do I form the past perfect?
To form the past perfect, use the auxiliary verb `had` followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, `I had eaten breakfast before I went to work`.
When should I use the past perfect?
The past perfect is used to describe an action that occurred before another past action or event. It is often used to give background information in a narrative or to describe a sequence of events. For example, `She had finished her homework before her friends came over`.
How is the past perfect different from the simple past tense?
The past perfect is different from the simple past tense because it describes an action that occurred before another past action or event. The simple past tense describes an action that occurred in the past without any reference to another past action or event.
Are there any irregular verbs in the past perfect?
Yes, like other verb tenses, there are irregular verbs in the past perfect. However, the irregular verbs still follow the same formation rules with the auxiliary verb `had` and the past participle. For example, `He had spoken to his boss before he quit his job.` (the past participle of `speak` is `spoken`).