How Many Tenses are there in English?
The simple answer to this question is that there are thirteen tenses in English. Some teachers refer to only three tenses: past, present and future that have a variety of forms. The most important thing to remember is that there are thirteen verb forms or tenses that are used for different situations that happen in the past, present or future.
The Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used to express what had happened before something else occurred in the past. This tense, while important, should be reserved for more advanced students as it's possible to communicate in English without mastering this tense. In fact, many native English speakers fail to use this tense on a regular basis. That being said, the past perfect is important to provide the reasons for decisions made in the past.
Basic Construction and Symbol
Positive
Subject + had + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
She had already eaten by the time the children came home.
Negative
Subject + had not (hadn't) + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
They hadn't finished their homework before the teacher asked them to hand it in.
Question
(Question Word) + had + subject + past participle + object(s) + time Expression
Where had you gone before the class began?
Symbol words
...before
already
once, twice, three times..
...by the time
said
told
thought
Examples
#1.The train left at 9am. We arrived at 9.15am. When we arrived, the train had left.
Practice
1.I wasn't hungry. I just (eat).
2.I didn't know who he was. I never (see) him before.
3."Mary at home when I (arrive)?"
"Really? Were she (go)?"
4.Mary's lucky pet bird, which she (leave) in Cairo, (be swallowed) by a snake.
5. They (be married) for ten years before they separated.
5. They (be married) for ten years before they separated.
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