Simple Past vs Past Perfect

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past.
The action that occurred FIRST (earlier in the past) is in the PAST PERFECT. The action that occurred SECOND (nearer the present) is in the SIMPLE PAST.

Before + simple past

After + past perfect

• We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
• The car broke down after we had had it for ten years.

Past Perfect Continuous

Form

had been + present participle

Use

 

Examples

Past Perfect: the Past of the Past

Form

Click on the link below for more information about the Past Perfect Tense

 Grammar Reference (British Council)

Examples

 

I had had breakfast before I went to school.

After I had had breakfast, I went to school.

The History of Christmas

Did you know Christmas wasn't always celebrated on December 25th? 

Get the whole story behind the holiday. Click HERE

Things we say today, which we owe to Shakespeare

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